Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a significant attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, labelling its rule as ‘maha jungleraj’, a term he invoked repeatedly during recent campaign rallies. Modi centred his criticism around the alleged lawlessness and infiltration in the state, particularly highlighting an incident in Malda where judicial officers were reportedly held hostage during protests related to voter roll revisions.
Modi positioned the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections as a stark choice between the "fear" propagated by the TMC and the "trust" offered by the BJP. He stated that after the election results are declared on May 4th, the law would take its course, promising investigations into alleged corruption and violence under the TMC. The Prime Minister contrasted the TMC's alleged protection of "infiltrators" with the BJP's commitment to stopping infiltration and expelling illegal immigrants. He further claimed that the TMC government endangered the state's identity and the safety of its citizens through "appeasement politics" and by opposing measures like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
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Allegations of Lawlessness and Demographic Change
The Prime Minister's broadside against the TMC government, delivered at rallies in Cooch Behar and other locations, focused on what he described as a breakdown of the rule of law. He questioned the safety of citizens when constitutional institutions and even judges are allegedly not secure, referencing the Malda incident as evidence. Modi also accused the TMC of pushing West Bengal backwards while other states progressed, and promised accountability for alleged corruption and violence.
Furthermore, Modi alleged that the TMC government was actively altering West Bengal's demographic makeup by allegedly facilitating the settlement of infiltrators, even to the extent of changing land ownership. This narrative was echoed by BJP chief Nitin Nabin, who claimed the TMC government was snatching land rights from West Bengal's residents and giving them to infiltrators. The BJP, according to Nabin, promises to rectify these demographic alterations and expel Bangladeshi infiltrators if they come to power.
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Counter-Narratives and Election Framework
In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged voters to retaliate against alleged irregularities in the voter list, framing the deletions as a form of suppression. She called for voters to use the ballot box to respond to these issues. The TMC has also accused the BJP of orchestrating unrest in Malda and making false claims about women's safety in West Bengal, allegations the BJP has denied.
Modi’s campaign framework appears to be built on contrasting the TMC's alleged "cut money" culture, corruption, and appeasement politics with the BJP's promises of development, women's safety, and a stance against infiltration. He urged supporters not to fear TMC elements and to place their faith in the BJP. The upcoming elections are scheduled with polling in West Bengal on April 23 and 29, with vote counting on May 4.
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