Jangipur (WB), April 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified the BJP's campaign on identity and infiltration in West Bengal, promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to end what he called the "politics of appeasement" and asserting that the BJP would not allow Bengalis to become a minority in the state.
Addressing a rally in Jangipur, a Muslim-majority district in Murshidabad, Modi framed the upcoming assembly elections as a battle to protect West Bengal's identity and future, while accusing the ruling TMC of thriving on appeasement politics and the support of "infiltrators".
"The security of the nation is of paramount importance. The BJP's commitment is to implement the UCC in West Bengal to end the politics of appeasement forever," Modi said, a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the party's manifesto, promising to enact the law within six months of coming to power.
Claiming that rapid demographic changes were taking place in several parts of the state, Modi accused the TMC of abandoning its old slogan of 'Maa-Mati-Manush' and relying on infiltrators and vote-bank politics to maintain power.
"The TMC came to power by raising the slogan of 'Maa-Mati-Manush'. But now it wants to govern with the support of infiltrators. West Bengal will no longer tolerate appeasement and vote-bank politics. We will not allow Bengalis to become a minority in the state," he said.
"All of you should unite and go out to vote. Bring about a change in government. Every vote you cast is a blessing for us," he said.
The prime minister said the election was not merely about a change in government but about preserving West Bengal's identity.
"This election is not merely about a change of power. It is a vote to preserve West Bengal's identity. West Bengal has now made up its mind. For its identity and future, West Bengal will bring change."
"Bengal's history shows that when it resolves for change, no power in the world can stop it. Whoever challenged Bengal had their arrogance shattered, from the British to the Congress and the Left... now it's the TMC's turn," the PM added.
He also referred to incidents of violence during Ram Navami processions in parts of the state this year and accused the TMC of protecting those responsible.
"Ram Navami was celebrated peacefully across India, but in West Bengal, rallies were attacked and violence took place under the protection of the TMC," he said.
The prime minister also alleged that the TMC, sensing defeat in the polls, had begun circulating AI-generated videos.
"As the polling progresses, the TMC can see defeat staring at it. That is why they have started spreading lies by using AI to create videos. This has also happened in Assam and Puducherry. I urge you not to be misled by these. Come out in large numbers to vote. Ensure the BJP's victory," Modi told the rally participants.
Though he did not name anyone, the remarks appeared to be aimed at a video circulated by the ruling party purportedly showing Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir.
On Friday, Shah was also asked about the issue in Kolkata. He said the BJP would never join hands with a party that talked about building a Babri Masjid in West Bengal and would rather sit in the opposition for 20 years.
Stepping up his attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, Modi alleged that the TMC, which had come to power with the slogan 'Maa-Mati-Manush', has become a "carbon copy" of the Left Front.
"People unseated the Left Front from power with great hopes and gave the TMC a chance. But as soon as it came to power, the Trinamool Congress became a carbon copy of the Left. The Left's goons and syndicate joined the TMC," he said.
He accused the ruling party of perpetuating the same politics of intimidation and extortion that West Bengal had witnessed during the Left Front rule.
"Earlier, Left workers used to threaten people for votes, now the same goons threaten people to vote for the TMC. Arms, drugs, cattle smuggling, cut-money and commissions -- the TMC has taken the contract for everything," Modi alleged.
Issuing a warning to those allegedly involved in corruption, Modi said there would be no leniency if the BJP came to power.
"Beware, those who protect the corrupt in West Bengal. No red carpet will be laid out for those who devour the rights of the people; the doors of the jail will be flung open for them," he said.
Modi made an apparent reference to former education minister Partha Chatterjee without naming him.
"The TMC has betrayed the youth. During the investigation of the teacher recruitment scam, crores of rupees in cash were found at the residence of a close aide of the then education minister. If the BJP comes to power, this will no longer continue. Everyone will be held accountable," he said.
Referring to the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case, Modi said people had not forgotten how the TMC government had allegedly stood by the accused.
Attacking the government on the economic front, Modi claimed that West Bengal had fallen behind other states because of corruption and the "syndicate raj".
"Every state is engaged in increasing its GDP and economy, but West Bengal's share in the country's GDP is declining rapidly. West Bengal has accumulated a debt of more than Rs 8 lakh crore," he said.
Modi claimed that while more than 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty under the BJP-led government at the Centre, people in West Bengal were being pushed into distress because investments and industries were leaving the state.
"Because of the TMC's corruption and 'syndicate raj', thousands of companies have left West Bengal. No new industry is coming to the state. Thousands of jobs have been lost and the youth are being forced to migrate to other states," he said.
He also said Murshidabad's silk farmers had suffered because of the TMC government's neglect.