Modi targets TMC over riots, corruption; Mamata hits back

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of fostering riots, corruption and lawlessness, and asserted that the people in the eastern state have made up their mind to get rid of the "nirmam" (cruel) government.

- Vijay Swaroop and Ruchir Kumar

KOLKATA:

Addressing a public meeting in north Bengal's Alipurduar nearly a year before the crucial 2026 assembly polls in the state, PM Modi termed it a "very significant" moment for Bengal and called on people to decide its future.

"Today, West Bengal is grappling with a series of crises. People don't want 'Nirmam Sarkar' (cruel government). They want change and good governance. The people have lost faith in the TMC government. There's an outcry across Bengal — 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar' (Outcry in Bengal is to oust cruel government)," he said.

Modi listed five major crises "plaguing" the state under the Mamata Banerjee-led regime.

"First is the widespread violence and lawlessness that are tearing apart the fabric of society. Second is the growing sense of insecurity among mothers and sisters, compounded by horrific crimes committed against them. Then comes the feeling of despair among the youth because of large-scale unemployment," the PM alleged.

He said the fourth is the "corruption that destroyed the system and eroded public trust" in the state government, while "the fifth crisis stems from the self-serving politics of the ruling party, which is stripping the poor of their rightful entitlements."