KOLKATA 22 FEB: Taking a jibe at the Trinamool Congress’ new slogan ‘Bangla Nijer Meyeke Chaye’ (Bengal wants its daughter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a frontal attack on Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday. PM Modi emphasised how women of Bengal were deprived of basic amenities such as piped drinking water at home. While addressing a public rally at Dunlop in Hooghly district, Modi said, “Out of 2 crore households, only 2 lakhs receive piped drinking water. But, the Centre has provided money for providing piped drinking water to all.”
According to Modi, the Centre has provided ₹1,700 Crores for the implementation of piped water in Bengal. However, the Prime Minister mentioned how Bengal has only spent ₹609 crores and the remaining amount has trickled down into TMC’s well of corruption.
Moreover, the PM said, “The ‘Cut Money Culture’ and ‘Syndicate Culture’ of this current government is what has created obstacles for the development of Bengal. If we come to power in Bengal, we will create true change that will help in the overall development of the state.”
Further, “When I visit places outside India, the Bengali community claims that although they want to do something for Bengal, they cannot carry forward with their project. Mainly, because they need to provide ‘cut money’ to all people. Including, the TMC leaders, too. And that has become a pain for everybody. They feel petrified to do something in Bengal because of the ’cut money culture’ in Bengal that has institutionalised in Bengal.”
Modi Lashes at Mamata on Failing to Start New Industries in Bengal
Modi said, “Earlier, people used to boast about Bengal. And artisans from Dunlop used to go to Kolkata and bring back goodies for their family members. Now, there are no industries and people have to go outside of the state for work. Why does this need to happen? TMC has clearly failed to start new factories here.”
“Hooghly is one of the important places where various jute industries were set up. But, over the years, the jute industries were not functional, although there has been a demand for jute bags. If we come to power, we will reopen the dying jute industries in the state,” added Modi.
Trinamool Congress reaction
Trinamool Congress claimed that the facts presented by Modi is not the real picture . In a tweet Derek O Brien claimed that Mamata government did not spent 1700 crore allocated for piped drinking water as Mamata ’s Jai Bhoro prokalpa’ is already in place which will provide piped water to 2 crore households.
Here is a tweet on this regard.