PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flayed the Trinamool Congress, accusing it of “protecting” infiltrators but opposing the CAA, which gives citizenship to refugees. Modi, while addressing an election rally at Balurghat, also alleged that the TMC gave West Bengal “on lease” to goons and infiltrators. The PM criticised the TMC regime for opposing Ram Navami celebrations in the state, and termed Calcutta High Court’s ruling that allowed a VHP procession in Howrah as “victory of truth”. “This year’s Ram Navami celebrations are a bit different as Ram Lalla has returned home in Ayodhya. But the TMC, just like in previous years, is opposing Ram Navami celebrations in the state,” he said. The Prime Minister also said that the entire country is “petrified” by the incidents of crime against women in Sandeshkhali. “Corruption and crime are rampant in the State.

 

Even central agencies are attacked when they try to investigate these corruption cases. It seems that the TMC has given the State on lease to infiltrators and goons,” Modi said. “The State Government here protects infiltrators, but opposes the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which provides citizenship to refugees...,” he added. Prime Minister also accused the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal Government of making all attempts to prevent Ram Navami celebrations in the State. He said, “The entire country will celebrate Ram Navami on Wednesday. But this time also, the Trinamool Congress tried to create hurdles for the celebrations in Bengal. However, the court has removed all the obstacles and now Ram Navami will be celebrated in Bengal with lots of enthusiasm. To recall, violence broke out between two groups when a Ram Navami procession was taken out in Howrah district on March 30 last year, in which vehicles were torched and shops were ransacked, leading to multiple arrests.

 

The Prime Minister also accused the Trinamool of depriving the tribal and backward classes in the State. He also accused the State Government of trying to shield those accused of sexually harassing women at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. “The Trinamool has given the State to illegal immigrants and anti-social elements on lease. That is why the ruling party is protecting the illegal immigrants but opposing our attempt to grant citizenship to genuine refugees. But the people of Bengal will no longer be misled by the falsehood being spread by the Trinamool,” the Prime Minister said. He also alleged that the Trinamool did not allow central funds to reach the genuine beneficiaries in West Bengal. “The leaders of the ruling party distributed the central funds among themselves. Crores of rupees have been seized from the residences of the Trinamool leaders. But when the central agency officials try to perform their duties, they are attacked. Time has come for the people to give a fitting reply to the Trinamool,” the Prime Minister said.