In Cooch Behar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the Malda incident involving judicial officers as a reflection of the TMC's alleged lawlessness in West Bengal, framing it as a contest between the TMC's alleged "rampant corruption" and the BJP's "commitment to good governance".
Addressing his first election rally in Bengal in Cooch Behar after the election schedule was announced, Modi used the Malda incident to emphasize the BJP's twin campaign planks of deteriorating law and order and alleged demographic changes, while also raising concerns about Sandeshkhali, infiltration from Bangladesh, corruption, and unemployment against the Mamata Banerjee government.
Modi presented the upcoming election as a decisive battle for the state's future, warning that "every act of wrongdoing will be addressed" after May 4, when the results are to be declared.
"This government is tarnishing democracy with violence every day. This government does not respect any constitutional institution," Modi said.
"A few days ago, the entire country saw how judicial officers were held hostage in Malda. What kind of government is this? What kind of system is this where even judges and the constitutional process are not safe? How can such people ensure the safety of Bengal's common people?" he asked.
The Prime Minister was referring to the incident in Malda on Wednesday night, where seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage for hours by a mob during hearings on names marked "under adjudication" in the draft electoral rolls prepared during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
"What happened in Malda was not merely the arrogance of the TMC. It was the sponsored 'rampant corruption' of this cruel TMC government. Whenever the TMC attempts to control justice, it tries to undermine constitutional institutions," Modi alleged.
He claimed that the situation had become so grave that even the Supreme Court had to intervene and accused the ruling party of being "bent on destroying law and order" in Bengal.
Modi also framed the contest in binary terms.
On one side, there is the "fear" of the TMC, and on the other side, you have the BJP's "trust". On one side is the fear of TMC's corruption and cut money, and on the other side is the BJP which promotes development," he said.
The PM also contrasted the fear of infiltration and settling foreigners in Bengal with the BJP's confidence in stopping infiltration and driving infiltrators out.
"On one side is the fear of losing freedom on one's own land because of changing demographics. On the other side is the BJP's confidence in living with pride on one's own soil," he said.
Seeking to consolidate Hindu refugee and Matua votes in the border districts, Modi accused the TMC of opposing the SIR and the Citizenship Amendment Act to protect infiltrators.
"The TMC is opposing SIR and CAA to protect infiltrators. It does not want Hindu refugees to gain citizenship and that is why it is opposing CAA. During 15 years of TMC rule, there has been a dangerous change in demographics in Bengal's border areas. These infiltrators get direct protection from the TMC syndicate. In this politics of appeasement, Bengal's identity is being changed," Modi alleged.
He said those trying to alter Bengal's identity would be ousted and accused the TMC of even trying to change the state's cultural vocabulary.
"You must have seen that the TMC recently released its manifesto. They did not even give it a Bengali name. Instead, they are calling it an 'Ishtihar'. Think how they are trying to change Bengal's identity," he said.
Modi also referred to the "Lal Ishtihar" issued before the 1946 communal riots in undivided Bengal and alleged that the ruling party was playing a "dangerous game of appeasement".
Modi promised that after May 4, when the results will be declared, every alleged act of corruption and violence under the TMC would be investigated.
"After May 4, the law will take its course. Every one of their sins will be accounted for. Chun chun ke hisab hoga. No matter how powerful the criminal may be, justice will be done this time," he said.
Turning to the economy, Modi said Bengal, once among India's most developed states, had steadily declined under successive Congress, Left and TMC governments.
"First came the eclipse of the Congress, then of the Left, and now the eclipse of the TMC. Bengal's development kept fading," he said.
"Earlier, people in Bengal earned more than the national average. Today their income is below the national average. Other states are moving ahead, but the TMC has pushed Bengal backwards. Factories are leaving Bengal. Earlier, people came here for jobs. This government has turned Bengal into a centre of migration," Modi alleged.
He also attacked the ruling party over the SSC recruitment scam and said in the open game of cut money and corruption, the future of Bengal's youth has been ruined as government jobs are under the control of the TMC syndicate.
"No matter how much TMC goons try to terrorise you on polling day, you must trust the law. I have full faith in the Election Commission. There will be elections that are free, fair and without fear," he said.