SLAMS 'INFILTRATION POLITICS', 'GUNDA TAX' OF TRINAMOOL

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday tore into the TMC, accusing it of risking Bengali 'ashmita' and national security by promoting infiltration for vote-bank politics and alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government has "crossed all limits" of appeasement politics.

- AGENCIES DURGAPUR

Modi, who launched projects worth Rs 5,400 crore in the state, across the oil and gas, power, rail, and road sectors, also positioned the BJP as the harbinger of a new Bengal, promising a clean break from the past, saying "the BJP has big dreams for West Bengal. We want to build a prosperous, developed Bengal. All the projects being launched here are a step towards that dream."

In a stinging critique of Bengal's economic environment under TMC, PM Modi said the state has become inhospitable for industry and investors.

"TMC's 'Gunda Tax' is deterring investment in Bengal. The state's resources have fallen into the hands of the mafia, and government policies are deliberately designed to enable ministers to engage in blatant corruption," he alleged.

In a fiery address at a packed ground in Durgapur, PM Modi positioned the BJP as the only party that truly respects and protects Bengali 'ashmita' (pride), calling for an end to what he termed a regime of "lies, lawlessness and loot.

"TMC, because of its vested interests, has put the identity of West Bengal at stake.