Jangipur (West Bengal): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday intensified the BJP’s campaign in poll-bound West Bengal, focusing on identity, infiltration and governance, while promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if voted to power.

Addressing a rally in Jangipur in Murshidabad district, he framed the upcoming assembly elections as crucial for safeguarding the state’s identity and future. There was no immediate response from the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the remarks.

Push for UCC, attack on ‘appeasement politics’

“The nation's security is of paramount importance to us. The BJP's resolve is to implement UCC in West Bengal to end the politics of appeasement forever,” Modi said, a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the party’s manifesto pledging to introduce the law within six months.

The prime minister alleged that the TMC had shifted from its earlier plank to relying on vote-bank politics and support from infiltrators.

Will not allow Bengalis to become a minority

Referring to demographic changes in parts of the state, Modi claimed the ruling party had moved away from its original slogan of ‘Maa-Mati-Manush’.

“The TMC came to power by raising the slogan of 'Maa-Mati-Manush'. But now, it wants to form a government for infiltrators with their votes. West Bengal will no longer tolerate appeasement and vote-bank politics. We will not allow Bengalis to become a minority in the state,” he said.

He added that the election was about preserving the state’s identity and direction.

“West Bengal has made up its mind: for its identity and future, it will bring about a change,” Modi said.

Sharp criticism of TMC governance

Stepping up his attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Modi alleged that the TMC had become a “carbon copy” of the Left Front after coming to power.

He accused the government of continuing a culture of intimidation and corruption, citing issues such as smuggling, extortion and commission-based practices.

“Arms, drugs, cattle smuggling, cut-money, and commissions, TMC has taken the contract for everything,” he alleged.

Issuing a warning, Modi said strict action would follow if the BJP forms the government. “No red carpet will be laid out for those who devour the rights of the people; the doors of the jail will be flung open for them,” he said.

Law and order, Ram Navami violence

The prime minister also referred to violence reported during Ram Navami processions in parts of the state, accusing the TMC of shielding those responsible.

“Ram Navami was celebrated peacefully across India, but in West Bengal, such rallies were attacked and violence took place under the protection of the TMC,” he said.

He further alleged that the ruling party had circulated AI-generated videos ahead of the polls to mislead voters, without providing evidence.

Economy, jobs and industry concerns

Modi criticised the state government’s economic record, claiming West Bengal had lagged behind other states due to corruption and what he described as a “syndicate raj”.

“Every state is engaged in increasing its GDP and economy, but West Bengal's share in the country's GDP is declining rapidly. West Bengal has accumulated a debt of more than Rs 8 lakh crore,” he said.

He added that industries were leaving the state, resulting in job losses and migration of youth.

“Because of the TMC's corruption and 'syndicate raj', thousands of companies have left West Bengal. No new industry is coming to the state. Thousands of jobs have been lost and the youth are being forced to migrate to other states,” he said.

The prime minister also flagged issues affecting local communities, including silk farmers in Murshidabad, alleging they had suffered due to neglect by the state government. (PTI)