Kolkata, March 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling TMC, accusing it of opposing the electoral roll revision to "shield infiltrators" and alleging that illegal immigration under its rule had altered West Bengal's demographic balance, turning Bengali Hindus into minorities in several areas ahead of the assembly elections.
Addressing a massive rally at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground here, Modi framed the upcoming assembly polls as a decisive battle for the state's future, declaring that the "countdown has begun to oust the Mamata Banerjee government" and urging people to bring about political change to "save the soul of Bengal".
The prime minister said a BJP government in the state would ensure governance based on "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas", warning that "sabka hisab liya jayega" (everything will be accounted for) for the alleged atrocities committed by TMC goons once the rule of law prevails.
Alleging infiltration had emerged as a major security concern, Modi claimed the TMC government had encouraged illegal immigration for electoral gains and that demographic changes were visible in several districts.
"The TMC is deliberately making Bengali Hindus a minority in several places," he alleged from the stage which had a replica of the iconic Dakshineswar Kali Temple in the backdrop.
Modi claimed that the BJP has the blessings of ‘Mahishasuramardini’, the goddess Durga.
The Prime Minister said the ruling party feared the SIR exercise because it would remove the names of illegal voters from the electoral rolls.
"They are not even ready to remove the names of those who have already died," he said.
Invoking the historical symbolism of the Brigade Parade Ground, Modi said the venue had once witnessed the voice against British rule that turned into a revolution across the country.
"Today, once again, the bugle for the 'kranti' (revolution) for a new Bengal has been sounded from Brigade Ground," he said.
As political temperatures rise ahead of the assembly polls likely to be held next month, the rally signalled the BJP's attempt to sharpen its twin campaign planks: infiltration and voter identity on the one hand, and governance, women's safety and youth employment on the other, while projecting the election as a larger battle for the state's political and cultural future.
Modi accused the ruling party of running what he termed a "mahajungle raj" backed by criminal networks and patronage politics.
"Extortion and cut money are TMC's sources of income. To strengthen such gangs, they bring infiltrators. Because of infiltration, Bengal's bread, daughters and land are under threat," he alleged.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated or unveiled projects worth Rs 18,680 crore in West Bengal, saying a new chapter of India's growth was being written from the state.
Modi also charged the TMC with "crossing all limits" by insulting President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to north Bengal last week.
"The TMC has not just insulted the President, but it has insulted the country's tribals, women, the people of this country and the Constitution," he said.
Murmu had expressed displeasure over the last-minute change of venue of a programme near Siliguri and questioned why neither the Chief Minister nor any state minister was present to receive her.
Modi said the President, "the esteemed daughter of the Adivasi community", had come to Bengal to participate in a Santhal tribal festival, but the state government boycotted the programme and pushed it into chaos.
The PM also accused the ruling party of targeting constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, over the voter roll revision exercise, and called it shameful.
The voter list revision, which has deleted 62.66 lakh names and put nearly 60 lakhs under adjudication, has emerged as one of the central political flashpoints in the state ahead of the elections to the 294-member assembly.
Asserting that a BJP government would bring governance based on the principle of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas", Modi said every atrocity committed by the TMC would be accounted for, and strict legal action would be taken.
"Those who break the law and commit atrocities will not be spared. Those TMC goons who threaten you, their days of fear will begin. Criminals will fear the law. Infiltrators will fear the law. Appeasement politics will fear the law," he said.
Referring to a recent remark by the CM, Modi said, "Bengal has been made unsafe by this government. Here, people are openly threatened that a particular community will wipe them out. Such words do not befit someone who sits in a constitutional chair."
Making a pitch to women voters, Modi accused the state government of failing to ensure safety and cited incidents such as Sandeshkhali and the RG Kar rape-murder case as examples of what he described as a collapse of law and order.
"The TMC government protects rapists and criminals; Sandeshkhali and RG Kar are testimony to this. In present-day Bengal, goons have a free run, and the safety of mothers and sisters has been compromised," he said.
"I assure the mothers and sisters of Bengal that if you give your blessings to the BJP here, women will be safe and criminals will be in jail. This is Modi's guarantee," he added.
The PM also focused on youth employment, alleging that corruption in recruitment had destroyed the future of many young people and forced thousands to migrate out of the state in search of work.