Modi targets Mamata, the Bengal CM hits back

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in two back-to-back rallies in the latter's home state of West Bengal on Saturday.

Even as the prime minister sought the TMC’s support for the Citizenship (Amendment) bill, he targeted the party's chief over reported undemocratic ways and corruption of the TMC and the attacks on BJP workers in Bengal .

The TMC supremo hit back at Modi by announcing that her party will not support the Citizenship (Amendment) bill in the Parliament.

“We will oppose it. There is no question of supporting the bill. The Centre should immediately withdraw it. We will not let him (Modi) succeed,” she said.

She also rubbished the prime minister’s allegations regarding extortion by the TMC and the Bengal government’s withdrawal from the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and said that Modi should first think about retaining power at the Centre and then think of Bengal.

“The government at the Centre will go first,” Mamata said.

Addressing a gathering at an event of the Scheduled Caste Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 paraganas district the prime minister said that his government has brought the Citizenship (Amendment) bill to ensure that those who have come to India facing religious persecution in other countries get a life of dignity.

“India got Independence after being divided following which many thought that they will continue to live in their native land but had to flee to India facing communal abuse. Some came from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis have come here. Should not they get the right to live with India? That’s why we have brought the Citizenship (Amendment) bill. I urge the TMC to support it,” Modi said.

The prime minister lashed out at the TMC supremo and said that she has resorted to violence due to her fear of the BJP’s growing popularity in Bengal.

“Now I relalise why Didi (Mamata) and the TMC is resorting to violence and killing innocent people. She is afraid of the growing popularity of the BJP in Bengal,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister continued his attack on Mamata at another rally at Durgapur in West Bardhaman district.

He claimed that in the last four-and-half years, the Centre has approved infrastructure projects worth Rs,90,000 crore for Bengal but they were either stalled or are continuing at snail’s pace because of non-cooperation by the TMC government.

The prime minister challenge the TMC and said that its days in power in Bengal are numbered.