Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday intensified the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign narrative in West Bengal, focusing on identity, governance, and alleged infiltration issues while promising the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code as a measure to end what he described as politics based on appeasement.
Addressing a public rally in Jangipur, Modi said the upcoming assembly elections were crucial for the future and identity of the state, alleging that the ruling Trinamool Congress had shifted away from its original governance promises and was now relying on vote-bank politics.
He stated that the BJP’s priority was national security and social unity, adding that the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented in West Bengal to eliminate divisions created by appeasement-based politics. The remarks come shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shah outlined a similar commitment in the party’s manifesto.
Modi also alleged that demographic changes were taking place in certain regions of the state and accused the ruling party of enabling such shifts for political gains. He claimed that the Trinamool Congress had abandoned its earlier “Maa-Mati-Manush” slogan and was instead depending on what he described as infiltrator-driven politics.
Warning against what he called vote-bank strategies, the Prime Minister said West Bengal would not accept policies that compromise its identity, asserting that the people of the state were ready for change. He added that historically, Bengal had led movements for transformation and would once again reject what he termed misrule.
Referring to recent incidents of violence during religious processions, Modi alleged that certain groups had been targeted during celebrations while the state administration failed to act decisively. He also accused the ruling party of circulating misleading and artificial intelligence-generated content to influence public perception ahead of the elections.
Escalating his criticism further, he described the current governance model as a continuation of past political systems marked by corruption and intimidation, claiming that illegal activities such as smuggling, extortion, and syndicate networks had flourished under the present administration.
On economic performance, Modi said West Bengal had fallen behind other states due to declining industrial investment and rising debt levels, while also claiming that job opportunities were shrinking and youth migration was increasing. He contrasted this with national-level economic progress, asserting that millions had been lifted out of poverty under the central government’s policies.
He further warned that those involved in corruption would face strict legal consequences if the BJP came to power, stating that accountability would be enforced without exception.
The remarks come amid an increasingly charged political atmosphere in West Bengal, where election campaigning is intensifying with competing narratives on governance, identity, and economic performance shaping the contest.
