Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched an all-out attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying that the “aunt-nephew” had ruined the state and promised that the BJP, if voted to power, will overthrow misrule in the state.
"In 55 years that a family ruled India, it stifled the talent of young people and spread the poison of casteism in society. It is being repeated in West Bengal where the aunt (Mamata Banerjee) and nephew (party MP Abhishek Banerjee) are looting people," said PM Modi while addressing a public meeting at the Brigade Ground in Kolkata.
“The situation in communist-ruled Tripura was the same as West Bengal. But it was possible to make BJP govt in it and now it's on path of development,” he added.
The prime minister cautioned people against voting for the TMC which has "inherited the bomb and gun culture" from the Left.
PM Modi further accused the Congress of weakening the forces and compromising the national security. “Congress has always bowed down against terrorism due to its policy of appeasement for vote bank,” he said.
Slamming the party manifesto released on Tuesday, the prime minister said that the Congress’ promise of diluting the AFSPA will promote Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
“In their manifesto, the Congress has stated that they will dilute AFSPA. This move will help Pakistan sponsored terrorist. The Congress is determined to bring instability in the country,” he said.
Earlier in the day, addressing a rally in Siliguri, PM Modi had said that Banerjee is a "speedbreaker" in the path of West Bengal's development and insisted that she has to go to make way for the betterment of the state.
PM Modi also took on the Congress over its manifesto that talks about reviewing some clauses of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), saying it acts like a "shield" for the security forces in the fight against terrorists.
Claiming that Banerjee has put a spanner in several central schemes for the uplift of the poor, PM Modi said "speedbreaker Didi" has not allowed people of Bengal to benefit from Ayushman Bharat scheme.