TMC means 'Tu, Main aur Corruption': PM Modi attacks Mamata govt in Bengal

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of fostering an environment where 'crime and corruption have thrived' in West Bengal.
Speaking at a rally in Krishnagar on Saturday, PM Modi asserted that the TMC has become synonymous with "atrocities" and "betrayal."
"For TMC, the priority is not the development of Bengal, but corruption, nepotism and betrayal.TMC wants to keep the people of Bengal poor so that its politics and game continues," he alleged.
The address by the PM follows a meeting with chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Friday amidst escalating tensions between the BJP and TMC, with Sandeshkhali becoming the focal point of attacks.

PM targets Mamata over Sandeshkhali
The arrest of Shahjahan Sheikh, facing accusations of "sexual assault and land grabbing" in Sandeshkhali, has added fuel to the ongoing political strife in the region.

Shajahan Sheikh was apprehended following a 55-day evasion. A local court subsequently granted 10 days of police custody. In swift response to his arrest, the party suspended Sheikh for six years. He held the position of party convenor for the Sandeshkhali assembly constituency and was a member of the TMC-controlled North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad.
Taking a dig at the arrest of the suspended TMC leader Shahjahan, PM Modi said, "In Bengal, the police do not decide when a criminal must be arrested, it's the criminal who decides everything for himself".
The Prime Minister congratulated the women of Sandeshkhali for finally coming out on the streets to protest against years of oppression, violence and harassment.
“It was women's power at Sandeshkhali which finally pushed the ruling party to the back foot. I also congratulate the state leaders of my party in West Bengal for relentlessly standing by these women in their protests,” he added.
Infrastructure boost for West Bengal
PM Modi unveiled a series of development projects worth Rs 15,000 crore. The official ceremony took place in Krishnanagar, Nadia district, where the Prime Minister expressed his commitment to propelling West Bengal towards economic growth and job creation.

Projects inaugurated included the Farakka-Raiganj section of NH-12 and Flue Gas Desulfurisation (FGD) system at Mejia Thermal Power Station. Foundation stone for the Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II, a 2x660 mw project in Purulia district was also laid during the ceremony.
Referring to West Bengal as the "eastern gate" of India, PM Modi said several such projects will be laid out by the BJP government in the state in order to boost employment and economic growth. He said that this gate has the potential to become the entry point of development in the east.
Rail infrastructure revitalisation
In a boost to Bengal rail infrastructure, PM Modi dedicated to the nation four rail projects worth over Rs 940 crore in the state. He emphasized that despite being an integral part of Bengal's heritage, the historical progress achieved in the realm of railways had faced challenges in maintaining its momentum post-independence.
"In the last 10 years, we have laid a lot of emphasis on the rail infrastructure here to bridge that gap; today, our government is spending more than twice as much as before on the rail infrastructure of Bengal”, PM Modi said as he inaugurated the rail projects.
PM Modi also held a massive roadshow in Bengal’s Krishna Nagar.

‘Lotus shall bloom on all 42 seats of Bengal’
Setting ambitious goals ahead of Lok Sabha elections for the state BJP, PM Modi said that people should make the party win all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.
"Seeing you all gathered here in such huge numbers is giving me the confidence to say 'NDA sarkar, 400 paar'," he told the crowd at the 'Bijoy Sankalpa Sabha' in Bengal.
PM Modi meets Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met PM Modi at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Friday. Following the meeting, Mamata informed that it was conducted with courtesy and protocol, focusing on discussions related to governance and cooperation.
She shared, "I mentioned the issues of the state to the Prime Minister, besides having a chat with him." while also raising the issue of Centre's pending dues to the state.