Laying foundation stones for several development projects, valued at over Rs 5,400 crore, in Durgapur on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that these projects aligned with the “Make in India, Make for the World” vision and will propel West Bengal’s progress. Soon after his Durgapur speech, the TMC hit out at the PM , calling his speech a “pack of lies” and added that while calling for a poriborton (change) in Bengal, he has changed. “From invoking Jai Shri Ram to chanting Jai Ma Durga and Jai Maa Kali, it shows that Modi has been changed by Bengal and Didi (Mamata Banerjee),” the TMC said. Modi had begun his speech at a BJP rally in Durgapur by invoking Goddesses Kali and Durga. Countering the PM's claim that Bengali's pride is supreme for his party, the TMC in a post on X wrote: "Oh really? Because this is how @BJP4India "respects" Bengal: Withheld funds meant for the poor, Insulted Tagore, Netaji, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, Branded Bengali citizens as “Bangladeshis”. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "We are hesitating to say that the Prime Minister is lying. But it is true that Modi intentionally gave false information. Why did the Prime Minister come here empty-handed? Bengal has a due of Rs 1.70 lakh crore, and he gave a promise of Rs 5,000 crore, which is invisible. He mentioned the RG Kar issue. Within 24 hours, Kolkata Police had arrested RG Kar culprit. In the law college rape case, police arrested the culprit within 24 hours. But what happened in Madhya Pradesh where a nurse was murdered. What happened in Uttra Pradesh, where police raped. Why doesn't the Prime Minister answer them?" "Bengalis, who are Indian citizens, are still being branded as Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in BJP-ruled states. While their governments harass and detain our migrant labourers, Modi now talks about Bengali 'ashmita' only because he realises the deep hurt and anguish felt by the average Bengali," Ghosh added. "Modi has resorted to falsehoods because he is afraid of losing the support of the average Bengali. In Gujarat, a sweet shop owner put up a signboard in his will in Bangla to attract customers, but was forced to clarify that he is not a Bengali. This is what his Viksit Bangla has come to — nothing but a travesty. In states ruled by the BJP, Bengali-speaking Indians are being branded as Rohingyas," he added. Addressing a gathering in the industrial town, often known as the “Steel City”, the Prime Minister spoke about West Bengal’s pivotal role as a hub for India’s workforce, reiterating the BJP government’s commitment to strengthening this contribution. “Today the entire world is discussing our resolve for Viksit Bharat, reflecting the changes, especially in infrastructure, on which the edifice of a developed India is being built," Modi said. The initiatives, spanning across oil and gas, power, rail and road sectors, are aimed at boosting connectivity, fostering a gas-based economy, and generating employment across the region. The PM affirmed that the newly launched projects would enhance regional connectivity, boost gas-based transport, and reinforce Durgapur’s identity as a Steel City, creating numerous employment opportunities for the local youth. BJP-TMC false Fight: Congress, CPM Both the Congress and the CPI(M) on Friday said that PM Modi’s attack on the TMC was meant to help each other in the Assembly elections due next year. “For the last five years, no BJP leader was seen in Bengal. Now, they are coming again for votes. They are basically helping the TMC here,” said CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty. Senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said that as the polls are nearing, Bengal would witness an "artificial fight" between PM Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. ENS
