Will abolish TMC’s mafia Raj weighing heavily on people: PM Modi in Asansol industrial hub

Assuring abolition of “cut-money culture and syndicate Raj of the TMC” in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday alleged that mafia Raj spanning across illegal extraction of coal and sand has cast a stranglehold on the people of the state.

Addressing a rally at the Polo Grounds in Asansol in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, Modi also alleged that black marketing of illegal coal extracted from the region, which serves as the state’s coal belt, has reached unprecedented levels under the Mamata Banerjee regime.

This was Modi’s second election rally of the day after his first at Purba Medinipur’s port city of Haldia, where he announced six guarantees for Bengal if the BJP wins the Assembly polls and sought the ouster of the "'nirmam'" (cruel) TMC government, accusing it of "setting new parameters of development debacle and pulling the state back".

“The coal belt of Asansol is now ruled by TMC’s syndicate Raj. Those involved in illegal coal, sand and soil extraction have cast their stranglehold on people,” Modi said to the large gathering from Asansol, considered to be an industrial hub and known for its premium coal production and mining activities.

Asserting that a regime change in West Bengal was inevitable as the TMC's "repository of sins" had become full, Modi advocated for a Trinamool-mukt Bengal to ensure its progress and development.

“The Trinamool’s repository of sins is full. Bengal is yearning for a double-engine government. Following May 4, the state will enter into a new era of development,” the PM said, referring to the date of counting of votes.

Beginning his speech by invoking local deities, Goddesses Kalyaneshwari and Ghagar Buri Chandi, Modi moved on to highlight the state’s “industrial and economic decadence” stating that Bengal’s contribution in national GDP has slid to mere five per cent from 12 per cent earlier.

"A regime change in Bengal is now cast in stone and sought by the people of Asansol like in all other parts of the state," the Prime Minister said, adding, “This is not merely an election to change the government, it’s an opportunity to return industrial prowess to Asansol.”

Modi referred to the once thriving industrial belt in Asansol where manufacturing units cutting across premium products held base, and said, “Investment has taken flight from Asansol’s industrial landscape. Only the BJP's double-engine government can help rectify the void.”

He said the Centre allocated Rs 45,000 crore for the revival of industries in Asansol.

Modi stressed that both Asansol and Durgapur reserved the potential to become megacities, and assured the people that the BJP-led NDA government will bring that development once in state power.

The PM alleged, "The TMC has only given 'nirmamta' (cruelty) to the region, while the BJP-led Centre has developed Asansol despite hurdles created by the state’s ruling party."

Speaking of the alleged rise in cases of crimes against women in the industrial region, Modi claimed that Bengal topped the country in cases of acid attacks.

“The TMC stands with those who torture women. The criminals enjoy ruling party patronage and are moving around freely. Only the BJP can ensure women's safety," he said.

Modi insisted that “rule of law” will be established in Bengal after the “TMC is ousted from power on May 4”.

“Every TMC goon will be picked up and held to task. My mantra for those who looted and destroyed Bengal is brace for accountability because each and every culprit will be made to pay,” he said.

The Prime Minister also drew the crowd’s attention to the Malda gherao of judicial officers last week and subsequent violence in Mothabari over disgruntlement over SIR deletions, stating the incident dealt “the last nail in the coffin of Trinamool’s jungalraj”.