Narendra Modi in West Bengal: PM said, “Our country is witnessing change. 125 crore Indians are trying to realise their dream of New India.” (Source: Twitter/PMO)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday addressed a Krishak Kalyan Samavesh (farmer’s welfare rally) in West Midnapore district of West Bengal where he talked about how the Union government’s decision to ensure 150 per cent MSP for farmers for their Kharif crops benefitted them. “Previous governments have discussed the issue of MSP for a long time. But nothing was done. BJP government listened to the farmers and decided to increase MSP,” he said.
PM Modi also said, “BJP government is working to make lives easy for all of you. Will ensure all farmers get benefits. India is going through a major development change. Everyone in the country is trying to give their 100% efforts towards a bringing development. Our government worked for farmers, from quality seeds to market, important to have a warehouse to save the produce.”
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also announced a counter-rally on the same grounds, a few days after Modi’s speech, and has already put up large cutouts and banners of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee all across the town. Following this, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, “Generally, the opposition parties organise counter-rallies. But in the case of West Bengal, it is just the opposite —the ruling party will be holding counter-rallies. It is good that the Trinamool is following us wherever we go.”
At least 20 people were injured as a makeshift tent collapsed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Midnapore rally on Monday. The injured were taken to the Midnapore medical college and hospital. PM Modi visited them soon after he finished his speech.
PM Modi says, "Despite such an incident and rains, I praise the people who still patiently stood at the meeting."
PM Modi says, "We clearly know the condition of Bengal right now. No benefits to farmers, no opportunities to youths. I hope West Bengal government will take required steps to create infrastructure for farmers, we want our farmers to use latest technology."
"Farmers kept on demanding the right MSPs for their crops, they kept protesting for it but the previous governments completely ignored it since long. Our government took the historic decision to give farmers one and half times more than what they invested.I would like to tell you that my government is your government. It is a farmer-friendly government." says PM Modi.
PM Modi says, "The real face of 'Ma Mati Manush' is for everyone to see. There is ' murder your opponents' syndicate operating here. Nothing can happen in West Bengal without the permission of this syndicate. Even doing 'Puja' has become difficult here. This is the land of Vande Mataram and the national anthem. But the syndicate raj is using this great land for their vote bank."
Our country is witnessing change. 125 crore Indians are trying to realise their dream of New India, says PM Modi.
PM Modi says, "BJP government is working to make lives easy for all of you. Will ensure all farmers get benefits. India is going through a major development change. Everyone in the country is trying to give their 100% efforts towards a bringing development. Our government worked for farmers, from quality seeds to market, important to have warehouse to save the produce."
I am thankful to Mamata didi for putting up so many flags to welcome me here that there are flags everywhere, says PM Modi
The CPM had announced that they would wave black flags in front of PM Modi in Midnapore on Monday. Reacting to this, Dilip Ghosh said, “Those who have lost their relevance and try to prove their existence by making an appearance before some big people. They try to float with the help of the media. They have lost their strength and do not have the opportunity to prove their worth.”
Ghosh also said, “The charisma of our prime minister will remain intact, come what may. No one can dent his popularity in the country through such protests.”
Local Trinamool leader Dinen Roy said, “Nothing had been finalised yet. But in the previous years, we have seen that our leaders have attended rallies which were organised on August 9. The chief minister is expected to announce the programme from the martyrs’ rally on July 21 in Kolkata and we will follow her instructions.”
As the TMC is planning a counter-rally on the same grounds, a few days after Modi’s speech, and has already put up large cutouts and banners of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee all across the town, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, “Generally, the opposition parties organise counter-rallies. But in the case of West Bengal, it is just the opposite —the ruling party will be holding counter-rallies. It is good that the Trinamool is following us wherever we go.”
The Trinamool Congress has focused its efforts on the area around the Midnapore College ground, packing the two sides of the approach road with pictures of Mamata Banerjee in addition to party flags flexes and festoons. The party has also tentatively set the date for its counter-rally as August 9. Below are some of the pictures from around the college ground, ahead of PM Modi's arrival. (Express photos by Partha Paul)
PM Modi will arrive in Midnapore soon to address the rally.
“Replicas of farmers sowing a field with a plough have been installed at several places in the meeting venue (the Midnapore College ground). The prime minister will be greeted with a toka (farmer’s hat) and gamcha (coarse cotton towel typically used by farmers),” said Rahul Sinha, BJP national secretary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting West Midnapore in West Bengal to address a farmers' rally mainly on how they have benefitted from Centre's decision to ensure 150 per cent MSP for farmers for their Kharif crops. Follow to get the latest updates