Campaigning for assembly polls has intensified in West Bengal with senior leaders of various political parties conducting a series of rallies and roadshows in the final days leading up to polling.
Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed multiple rallies at Jhargram, Purulia and Bishnupur districts in the state today. Mr Modi asserted that a double-engine BJP government in West Bengal will deliver double benefits to the women of the state. He stated that the safety, dignity and prosperity of women are his party’s top priorities. He accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of thwarting the entry of more women into legislative bodies, in collusion with the Congress.
He said the upcoming assembly election in West Bengal is a battle to save the state’s identity. The Prime Minister accused the Mamata Banerjee government of pursuing politics that favoured infiltrators over the native population. He alleged that there is growing anger in the state over the ruling TMC’s neglect, poor infrastructure and lack of opportunities for the youth. The Prime Minister accused TMC of ignoring people’s problems and presiding over a system of corruption and extortion.
He said people are looking towards the BJP with hope for development and a better future. Mr Modi also alleged that TMC leaders are illegally occupying tribal land in several parts of the state.
BJP leader and Union Minister JP Nadda conducted a road show in the Jalpaiguri district. Party leader and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha held road shows at Jiyaganj and Kandi in Murshidabad district.
TMC President and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held public meetings at Hooghly district’s Tarakeswar and Kalna in Purba Bardhaman district. She later held a road show in Bardhaman. Ms Banerjee claimed that if the BJP comes to power in the state, it will take away all the welfare benefits introduced by the TMC government. She said that one crore girls in the state are receiving benefits under the Kanyashree programme. She accused the BJP-led government in the Centre of linking the delimitation bill with the women’s quota legislation tabled in the Lok Sabha. The TMC Chief alleged that if the women’s reservation bill was passed in September 2023, why did the central government not implement it?
The Congress, Left, and other parties are also actively campaigning across West Bengal. Leaders are employing a range of strategies, including small public meetings, door-to-door outreach, and direct interactions with local residents, to connect with and win the support of voters.
Polling in West Bengal will be held in two phases, on the 23rd and 29th of April
