Campaigning has intensified in West Bengal, with top leaders stepping up outreach efforts across the state ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. Two-phase polling in the state will be held on the 23rd and 29th of this month.
Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive public meeting in the Cooch Behar district in north Bengal today. Prime Minister Modi criticised the ruling Trinamool Congress government, highlighting lawlessness and misgovernance in the state. The Prime Minister also criticised the party over the incident in the Malda district, in which judicial officers were held hostage for hours by a mob, and the Supreme Court of India had to intervene.
The Prime Minister assured the people of the state that if voted to power, a BJP government will ensure development and drive away infiltrators. He said the massive crowd in Cooch Behar proves that the Trinamool Congress’ time is up. Mr Modi accused the state government of endangering the future and identity of Bengal through appeasement politics and infiltration.
Prime Minister Modi also alleged that women are not safe under the Mamata Banerjee government. He said the Centre is working to enhance women’s participation in governance, highlighting that several welfare initiatives have already reached lakhs of women across the country. He stated that nearly three crore women have been empowered under the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative but emphasised the need for greater representation of women in decision-making.
Mr Modi spoke about the government calling a special session of Parliament on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of this month to take forward the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. Assuring states, including West Bengal, he added that those performing well in population control will not lose representation and that participation of all states and everyone’s rights will be protected. He called for increasing the number of seats to ensure adequate representation for women, saying the government aims to secure broad benefits for states while strengthening women’s role in Parliament.
Prime Minister Modi promised that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, priorities will include industrialisation, farmers’ income, women’s safety, and employment.
Trinamool Congress Chief and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed public meetings in different parts of West Bengal today. She held rallies at Samsherganj, Jiaganj, Ajimganj and joined a road show in Baharampur town in Murshidabad district.
The Congress, Left, and other political parties are intensifying their campaigns through small public meetings across the state.