NEW DELHI: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
criticized the Trinamool Congress (
TMC
) government in West Bengal, accusing it of infringing upon the rights of Other Backward Classes (OBC) youths for the sake of appeasement politics and “
vote jihad
.”
Speaking at an election rally in Barasat,
PM Modi
condemned the TMC’s actions following the Calcutta high court’s ruling against the OBC status of several classes in the state, asserting that the party had betrayed the
OBCs
of West Bengal.
“The court has exposed the treachery of the Trinamool Congress with the OBCs. The party snatched the rights of OBC youths to support its appeasement politics and ‘vote jihad’. The TMC has betrayed the OBCs of West Bengal,” he said.
PM Modi also rebuked the TMC for questioning the
judiciary
, expressing astonishment at the party’s attacks on judges following unfavorable rulings. He questioned whether the TMC would resort to intimidating judges in light of such judgments.
“It is quite evident that TMC doesn’t like those who expose its treachery and lies. I am astonished to see how the party is questioning the judiciary. Don’t they have any faith in the judiciary and our Constitution?
“The way they are attacking judges is unprecedented. I would like to know whether the TMC would now let loose its goons on judges as they are exposed? The entire country is seeing how TMC is strangulating the judiciary in West Bengal,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to combating corruption, declaring his resolve to hold those who have taken bribes accountable. The PM said after his resolve of “na khaunga, na khane dunga” (I will neither accept bribes nor allow others to do so), his new guarantee is “jisne khaya hain usey bahar nikalunga” (those who have taken bribes will be taken to task).
Further criticizing the TMC’s alleged intimidation tactics, PM Modi condemned the party’s treatment of socio-religious organizations such as the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. He accused the TMC of targeting individuals who expose the party’s wrongdoing and highlighted instances where the TMC allegedly threatened monks and saints to appease its vote bank.
“The TMC cannot tolerate the truth. It targets anyone who exposes the party’s crimes. You have seen that a TMC MLA had recently said that Hindus will be drowned in river Bhagirathi.
“On this, the saints and monks of Bengal had asked the party to correct its mistake. But, the TMC started abusing the monks for the sake of appeasement politics,” PM Modi asserted.
Turning his attention to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), PM Modi accused the TMC of spreading misinformation for political gain, asserting that the CAA grants citizenship to refugees without taking away the rights of any citizen. He assured the Matua community of Bengal, who are expected to benefit from the CAA, that no power in the world can prevent them from obtaining Indian citizenship.
“Due to the politics of appeasement, the TMC is spreading canards against the CAA. But, today the whole country is witness to hundreds of refugees getting citizenship. Nothing has been taken away from anyone; rather, they have been respected as sons and daughters of Mother India,” he said.
In another rally at Baruipur, PM Modi criticized the TMC’s governance, alleging that the party prioritizes its vote bank over the welfare of the state’s youth and lacks vision for development.
“The TMC and good governance have no relation. You won’t find good governance in Bengal even under a microscope. The TMC works only for its vote bank and can never do anything good for youths of the state. The party has no vision,” the PM said.
(With inputs from agencies)
