Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing it of encouraging infiltration, misusing central funds and obstructing welfare schemes meant for the people of the state.
Addressing a public meeting in Malda, West Bengal, PM Modi said, “Infiltration is a major challenge facing Bengal today. There are developed and prosperous countries across the world that do not lack resources, yet they take firm action against infiltrators. It is equally necessary to remove infiltrators from West Bengal. Rising infiltration is putting Bengal’s geography and culture at risk. Demographic changes have led to a sharp increase in riots and divisiveness in the state.”
Assuring refugees such as the Matua community who had taken shelter in India due to religious persecution, the Prime Minister said infiltration posed a serious threat to Bengal. He warned that unchecked infiltration was endangering the state’s geography, culture and social harmony, and claimed that demographic changes had led to a rise in riots and divisiveness.
“I want to assure refugees like the Matuas who were forced to take shelter in India due to religious persecution,” he promised.
In a scathing allegation against the TMC government, Prime Minister Modi cited a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Malda, claiming that flood-relief funds sent by the Centre had failed to reach the intended beneficiaries. Instead, he alleged, “The money was diverted to TMC supporters and sympathisers.” He promised that a BJP government in Bengal would ensure proper riverbank reconstruction to protect people from floods and erosion.
The Prime Minister also accused the TMC of “systematically blocking central welfare schemes.” He said the party was more focused on “looting” central funds than addressing public concerns, adding that Bengal remained the only state where the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme had not been implemented due to the state government’s resistance. He further alleged that the TMC was preventing Bengal from benefiting fully from central initiatives, including schemes providing subsidies on electricity bills and modern power infrastructure.
Highlighting recent electoral gains, Modi referred to the BJP’s victory in Maharashtra’s civic polls, calling it historic as the party secured control of the world’s largest municipal corporation. He also noted the BJP’s growing acceptance in Kerala and other regions once considered politically challenging. According to him, this reflected growing public trust—particularly among the younger generation—in the BJP’s development-focused policies. Expressing confidence, he said Bengal too would welcome the BJP with an overwhelming mandate.
“The people of India are embracing the BJP, and even in regions once considered difficult, we are receiving a strong response. This shows that the country’s Gen Z believes in the BJP’s development-oriented policies. Seeing all of you today, I am confident that Bengal will also welcome the BJP with an overwhelming majority,” he added entrusting faith in GenZ.
He further accused TMC of failing to prioritise Bengal’s development despite the Centre’s commitment to the state. He asserted that while the central government wanted all its schemes to reach Bengal’s people, the state administration acted as a “gatekeeper,” blocking progress for political reasons.
“They are not concerned about public issues, only about filling their own coffers. Bengal is the only state without the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Such a party must be removed from power. The Central Government has also launched a scheme providing subsidies on electricity bills, benefiting millions. We want Bengal to receive similar support, including modern power infrastructure, but the TMC government is blocking these progressive initiatives,” PM said adding he wanted houses in Bengal to have Jio connections.
Expanding his critique beyond Bengal, Modi said large parts of eastern India had earlier been dominated by parties practising “hate politics,” but states such as Odisha, Tripura, Assam and Bihar had chosen the BJP-led NDA for “good governance.” He said, “With all neighbouring states now aligned with the NDA, he said the time had come for Bengal to follow the same path, adding that the “Ganga of good governance would soon flow into the state.”
The Prime Minister highlighted Bengal’s historic role as a cultural hub and praised Malda for its identity, particularly its mangoes and folk traditions. Expressing gratitude for the affection he had received in the state, Modi said he sensed strong public enthusiasm and called for asli parivartan in Bengal. He stressed that Bengal’s progress was vital for India’s overall growth and said the upliftment of eastern India was central to his vision of a Viksit Bharat.
