"TMC settling infiltrators in state, Bengal's identity in danger": PM Modi

Jhargram (West Bengal) [India], May 20 : Launching a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Trinamool Congress is "settling infiltrators" in the state putting the identity of Bengal in "danger".
He further said that riots have become a "common thing" in the state, adding that several BJP workers have also been killed in violence.
Addressing a poll rally in Jhargram, PM Modi said, "The people of Bengal are in danger from TMC, the identity of Bengal is also in danger. Today the whole country is worried about Bengal. Violence occurs every day in Bengal, BJP workers are killed. BJP workers have been killed in Jhargram too. Riots are a common thing here. Efforts are being made to end tribal identity...TMC only cares for its vote bank."
"These people (TMC) are calling infiltrators and settling them. The population of people of Bengal is decreasing in the border areas. Infiltrators come here and occupy the land of our Dalits, backward and tribal people. TMC and Congress together want to make the occupation of infiltrators legal," he said.
"Congress saying they will conduct X-ray of your property and will then distribute it to their vote bank, those doing 'vote jihad'," the Prime Minister added.
Taking a dig at the Congress and TMC, Prime Minister Modi said that the Congress is a "sunken ship" while the TMC's ship has also developed a hole.
"The people of Bengal are not voting for them (TMC), that's why they are abusing BJP and threatening the people. Earlier, TMC was abusing Congress, but now it is saying it is part of the INDI Alliance. But the people know that Congress is a sunken ship. TMC ship has also got a hole...so nothing can stop them from sinking," PM Modi said.
PM Modi also accused the TMC government of pushing the West Bengal backwards.
"TMC is pushing Bengal back and back... From industries to infrastructure, TMC has been destroying everything in Bengal. Your vote will serve as a strong answer to the misdeeds of TMC," he added.
He also took a jibe at the Mamata Banerjee government over "corruption" and said that on one hand there is "Modi's report card" while on the other hand, there is TMC's "rate card".
"On one hand, there is Modi's report card government at the Centre, on the other hand, there is TMC's rate card government in Bengal. TMC has put up a rate card for every job in Bengal. 'Pay money and get a job!'...TMC leaders auctioned and sold jobs and put the future of our youths at stake," PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi attacked the Congress alleging that the party aims to take away reservation from SC, ST and OBC community and give it to the Muslims. He also termed Congress "communal, casteist and dynast."
"I have seen an old video of Congress party's Shehzada. It is 11-12 years old. In this video, Shehzada (Rahul Gandhi) is openly saying that Congress will give reservations to Muslims," he added.
"They are completely communal, they are against the Constitution. They are casteists and they are dynasts. They are filled with all these bad qualities...these communal, casteist and dynasts are asking for Modi's report card?" Prime Minister Modi added.
The voting in the Jhargram constituency will be held on May 25 in the sixth phase of elections. This tribal seat is reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. BJP's Kunar Hembram won the seat in 2019. He, however, walked into TMC head of the polls. This time, BJP has fielded Pranat Tudu who is pitted against the TMC's Kalipada Soren.
The constituencies of Bangaon, Barrackpur, Howrah, Uluberia, Srerampur, Hooghly and Arambagh are voting today.
The polling for 42 seats of West Bengal is being held across all seven phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
In 2019, BJP made strong inroads into TMC's hold in West Bengal, by winning 18 seats and being a close second to TMC, which won 22.