Key Points:
- PM Modi accused the TMC government of being “cruel and heartless” and looting central government funds meant for Bengal’s poor.
- The Ayushman Bharat scheme, providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, remains blocked in West Bengal, the only state where it is not implemented.
- Citing a CAG report, Modi alleged flood relief money was transferred 40 times to TMC favorites while actual victims received nothing.
- The Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati, along with four Amrit Bharat Express trains.
- Modi connected Bengal’s development to the BJP’s recent victory in Bihar, stating that Eastern India must grow for India to become a developed nation by 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive gathering in Malda, West Bengal, on Saturday, delivering one of his strongest criticisms yet of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration. He described the TMC government as “very cruel and heartless,” alleging systematic corruption in the distribution of central funds. The Prime Minister specifically highlighted how the state government has become an “enemy” of Bengal’s poor by deliberately obstructing welfare schemes.
Speaking in Hindi with periodic references to Bengali sentiments, Modi emphasized that the central government sends substantial funds for the state’s development, but the TMC leadership diverts these resources for its own benefit. “They are busy filling their own coffers,” he declared, pointing to what he termed a pattern of financial mismanagement that has deprived ordinary citizens of their rightful benefits.
Ayushman Bharat Blockade Becomes Central Issue
The Prime Minister dedicated significant portions of his speech to the non-implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in West Bengal. He expressed frustration that while citizens across India receive free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh annually, Bengal’s poor are denied this facility. Modi stressed that this policy decision reflects the state government’s indifference to public suffering.
West Bengal remains the only state that has not implemented the flagship health insurance scheme, a fact the Prime Minister used to illustrate the TMC’s alleged disconnect from ground realities. He promised that under a BJP administration, the scheme would be rolled out immediately, ensuring that cancer patients, those requiring major surgeries, and families facing medical emergencies would receive comprehensive financial protection.
Flood Relief Scam Allegations and CAG Report
Modi referenced a Comptroller and Auditor General report on flood relief distribution in Malda district, alleging shocking irregularities in the system. According to his interpretation of the report, relief funds were transferred up to 40 times to accounts of “TMC favorites,” while genuine victims received nothing. Those who were not entitled to assistance reportedly received millions of rupees through this manipulation.
The Prime Minister assured the crowd that these corrupt practices would end immediately once the BJP forms government in the state. He pledged to establish a transparent system where disaster relief reaches actual victims without political interference, drawing parallels with how the BJP handles such situations in states where it is in power.
BJP’s Eastern India Strategy and Bihar Victory
Connecting Bengal’s political future to broader regional dynamics, Modi highlighted the BJP’s recent success in Bihar elections. He noted that Bihar, which shares a border with Bengal, now has a BJP-led NDA government providing “good governance.” This development, he argued, creates a circle of BJP-ruled states surrounding West Bengal, making its isolation more pronounced.
The Prime Minister recalled his post-victory statement that with Mother Ganga’s blessings, the “river of development” would now flow in Bengal too. He positioned this as part of a larger vision for Eastern India’s transformation, which he identified as crucial for India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Modi claimed that the BJP has freed Eastern India from decades of “politics of hatred,” and that voters in the region increasingly place their faith in the BJP’s development model.
Maharashtra Civic Polls Cited as Validation
Modi referenced the recent urban local body election results in Maharashtra, particularly the BJP’s historic victory in Mumbai’s municipal corporation, which was announced on Friday. He described this win as evidence of the party’s growing appeal across diverse demographics, including Generation Z voters. The Prime Minister suggested that even in areas where the BJP was once considered unwinnable, the party is now receiving tremendous support, validating its governance model.
This comparison served to contrast the BJP’s electoral success with the TMC’s alleged governance failures, implicitly questioning why Bengal should remain an outlier in the region’s political transformation.
Major Infrastructure Push for Bengal
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train service, which will operate between Howrah and Guwahati. After flagging off the train, he personally met the driver and crew members, inquiring about the technical features and passenger amenities. Children present at the station received special attention from the Prime Minister, who interacted with them briefly.
In addition to the sleeper train, Modi virtually flagged off four Amrit Bharat Express trains that will connect New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar in North Bengal to other parts of India. The rail and road projects inaugurated during his visit total over Rs 3,250 crore, representing what the BJP describes as its commitment to Bengal’s infrastructure development despite the state government’s alleged non-cooperation.
