Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal's Cooch Behar, calling the Malda incident a symbol of “Maha jungle raj” and alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state.

Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar, PM Modi said the Malda incident, where judges were allegedly held hostage, showed that even constitutional institutions were not safe under the TMC government. “This ‘ruthless’ government does not care about any constitutional institution. If judges are not safe, how can common citizens expect security?” he said, adding that even the Supreme Court had to intervene in the matter.

The Prime Minister asserted that the incident was not just an example of TMC’s arrogance but a reflection of a larger “Mahajungalraj” allegedly sponsored by the state government. He accused the ruling party of “killing law and order” in Bengal and warned that those responsible for “looting” the state would be held accountable after the elections.

Referring to his recent rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, PM Modi said he had launched the “Parivartan Yatra” from the historic venue, and the overwhelming public response had “scared the entire TMC syndicate.” He added that the enthusiasm seen there had now been reinforced by the turnout in Cooch Behar, which he described as “breaking all records” and reflecting people’s faith in a “new Bengal” and a BJP government.

Framing the upcoming elections as a choice, PM Modi said, “On one hand there is TMC’s ‘Bhoy’ (fear), and on the other is BJP’s ‘Bharosa’ (trust).” He alleged that illegal infiltration in border districts had led to demographic changes, claiming the TMC government was sheltering infiltrators and using them for its syndicates. He also accused the party of opposing measures like the CAA and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to prevent identification of illegal migrants.

The Prime Minister further alleged that people in Bengal feared losing their land due to changing demography, while the BJP promised security and dignity. He also cited incidents like Sandeshkhali, claiming there had been “nirmam” assaults on women, and contrasted it with his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.

PM Modi said the Centre had passed the Women’s Reservation Bill to provide 33% reservation for women and announced a special session of Parliament on April 16 to ensure its implementation by 2029. “Women have waited for 40 years, and we do not want to delay it further,” he said, urging all political parties to support the move.

He also addressed concerns over seat redistribution, assuring states that had successfully controlled population growth that they would not lose representation. “We will ensure fair participation and uphold the rights of all states,” he said.

Criticising the state’s economic performance, PM Modi claimed that the average earnings in Bengal were below the national average and that the state had turned from a job destination into a centre of migration.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said fear would be “thrown out” of Bengal in the elections and vowed that all “wrongdoings” would be accounted for. “No matter how big the goonda may be, we will ensure justice,” he said.

Source: India Today