Didi promised change, but promoted only corruption: Modi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday set the tone for the forthcoming Bengal elections, saying the ruling TMC was another version of the Left rule and the state needed “real change to end the ongoing reign of corruption and extortion”.

Launching a searing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Haldia, the stronghold of TMC turncoat Suvendhu Adhikari, now in the BJP, the PM said Bengal’s politics was responsible for its lack of development. He slammed the reigns of the Congress, Left and the TMC for “signature corruption and lack of growth.”

“In 2011 people trusted Mamata when she promised change. Mamta ki apeksha thi, nirmamta ke shikaar ho gaye (people sought empathy but got cruelty). In the very first year of her government, it was clear that Bengal had not changed but seen a rebirth of the Left rule along with interest,” said a combative PM accusing the TMC government of “institutionalising corruption, criminalising politics and politicising administration and the police.”

The PM said the days of TMC’s “extortion syndicate” were numbered as the people had decided to bid adieu to Didi.

Accusing Mamata of blocking a range of central benefits to the people of the state – from disbursement of cash to 25 lakh farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat’s Rs 5 lakh free hospitalisation cover annually for poor families to the National Education Policy and the provisions of the seventh Central Pay Commission – the PM said genuine Trinamool leaders who were fed up with the “dynastic politics of Mamata had joined the BJP to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”

The PM questioned the CM for silence on the “ongoing international conspiracy to defame India” and said, “These days a global conspiracy is unfolding to malign India. Have you ever seen Didi utter a word against that? Even those who ruled India for decades are backing the conspirators. But India will give a befitting reply to them,” the PM said amid global celebrities tweeting in favour of farmers’ protests.

Wants institutes to teach in mother tongue

• Dhekiajuli (Assam): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday claimed that an international conspiracy had been hatched to “defame” Indian tea, on a visit to Assam, a major producer of the brew. It is his second visit to the election-bound state in a fortnight.
• He pitched for setting up at least one medical college and a technical institution in each state that will impart education in the native language. The PM also launched the “Assam Mala” scheme to upgrade state highways and laid stones for two medical colleges. PTI