Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal is crucial for both regional and national security, and the Centre is making all efforts to secure it. Addressing a public meeting at Kawakhali in West Bengal’s Siliguri today, Mr. Modi alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) supports elements that once threatened to block the corridor and isolate the North East.

 

The Prime Minister alleged that TMC’s emphasis on appeasement politics is clearly reflected in the annual budgetary allocations of the state government. He accused the state government of allotting six thousand crore rupees for Madrasas education development while failing to provide budgetary allocations for North Bengal, which is the gateway to the Northeast. 

 

Assuring tea garden workers, Mr Modi promised focus on income, education, and healthcare. He said that if voted to power in the state, the BJP government will prioritise the construction of hospitals, medical colleges, and universities in the region. He also assured the Matua and Namasudra communities of getting citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) once the BJP comes to power in the state.

 

Highlighting development initiatives, Mr. Modi said the Sevoke-Rangpo rail link is nearing completion and will soon connect Sikkim to the railway network, boosting tourism, trade, and employment. 

 

Thousands of people from the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Jalpaiguri plains attended the rally at Kawakhali.