Mamata Dares PM Modi To Hold Elections Tomorrow: 'We Are Ready, Bengal Is Ready'

With less than a year to go before the West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified the political atmosphere by launching a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government at a rally in Alipurduar.

He branded the administration as "nirmam" (cruel) and corrupt, claiming that the people of the state are "crying out for change".

Photo Credit: PTI

Responding to the Prime Minister's remarks, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock, stating that she did not expect such comments, particularly at a time when all-party delegations are travelling abroad to promote unity and convey India's stance of zero tolerance for terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

She challenged the Prime Minister to hold Assembly elections immediately, asserting, "The people of Bengal are with us."

Addressing the rally on Thursday, PM Modi referred to the communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda during protests against the Waqf Act, describing it as a stark indication of the TMC government's "indifference" to public suffering.

According to him, West Bengal is facing multiple simultaneous crises.

"We have a crisis of violence and anarchy spreading in society. The second crisis is the safety of our mothers and sisters, who are being subjected to heinous crimes. The third is the extreme despair and rampant unemployment spreading among the youth. The fourth crisis is the continuously declining trust in the system, and the fifth is the selfish politics of the ruling party, which steals the rights of the poor," he declared.

Turning his attention to the teacher recruitment scam - which resulted in over 25,000 teachers losing their jobs - PM Modi said it had devastated thousands of families.

"The teacher recruitment scam is an example of corruption ruining everything. The TMC government destroyed the future and families of thousands of teachers, and left their children helpless. The absence of teachers has put the futures of lakhs of students at risk... The education system of the state West Bengal is being ruined... The TMC leaders have committed a huge sin... but these people are not ready to accept their mistake even now. They are blaming the courts instead," he said.

Referring again to the violence during the Waqf Act protests, the Prime Minister criticised the state's law and order situation.

"Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the state government's ruthlessness... In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party running the government identify and burn people's houses, and the police remain mere spectators. I ask the poor people of Bengal, is this how a government runs? Here, the courts have to intervene in every issue. Otherwise, nothing gets resolved."

He concluded: "The people of Bengal do not trust the TMC government anymore... 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar' (the people of Bengal are crying out, saying they do not want this cruel government)."

Praising the security forces involved in Operation Sindoor, Modi said, "Terrorists wiped our sisters' sindoor. Our Army made them realise the power of sindoor... We wiped out terror infrastructure and hit targets that Pakistan didn't even imagine... Pakistan has nothing positive to offer to the world. Since its inception, it has only housed terrorists."

In a strong rebuttal, Chief Minister Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of politicising Operation Sindoor.

"I don't want to comment on Operation Sindoor. But every woman should be given respect... If your heart is so clean, why have the terrorists (behind the attack in Pahalgam) not been caught so far?" she asked.

She went on to describe her administration as a "humane one", alleging that the BJP's policies are divisive and blaming them for the recent unrest.

"The Malda and Murshidabad riots occurred because of the BJP," she claimed.

Issuing a direct challenge, the TMC chief said, "I challenge them... If they have the courage, go for elections tomorrow. We are ready and Bengal is ready... The people of Bengal are with us. Please remember, timing is a factor."

(With ANI inputs)