Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that tribal-dominated districts in West Bengal have gone backwards during the 15 years of Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule in the state.
He made these remarks while addressing a campaign rally, the second of the day, in the tribal-dominated Purulia district.
"The tribal-dominated districts in West Bengal have constantly gone backwards during the last 15 years of the Trinamool Congress regime. The conditions of schools, roads, and water supply systems in such districts are pathetic. Rampant illegal mining in these tribal-dominated districts has made the conditions there worse. Places like Ayodhya Hills and Sitakund are in the Purulia district. But in this land of Sitakund, the people are thirsty. The farmers are helpless. Several projects have been kept on hold because of this inhuman state government," the Prime Minister said.
On the other hand, he said there is a separate ministry in the Union government for tribal welfare. "During the Bharatiya Janata Party's rule, India got its first tribal president. States like Odisha and Assam got their first tribal Chief Ministers during the BJP rule," he said.
Elated by the crowd at his Purulia rally, and ignoring the scorching heat, PM Modi said the enthusiasm of the crowd was an indication that the BJP would come to power in West Bengal after the Assembly elections.
"The rule of corruption and intimidation during the last 15 years has terrorised every family in West Bengal. This time, the BJP will form the government here. BJP will get a huge majority. The crowd is giving that signal," the Prime Minister said.
"In West Bengal, the TMC government has been hostile towards tribal communities and has treated them with continued injustice," he added.
He also accused the state government and Trinamool Congress of creating hurdles in implementing Central projects, including railway projects, in the state.
"Defeating Trinamool Congress is essential to carry forward those projects. You have the BJP Lok Sabha member from Purulia. This time, you will have to ensure that all the legislators from this district are from the BJP. You have given me the responsibility of being the Prime Minister of the country. Now you must give the responsibility to someone from the BJP as the new Chief Minister," PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over allegations of corruption, issuing what he described as a "last chance" to "goons and syndicates" ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Addressing a BJP rally in Bishnupur, Modi said, "I am giving one last chance to all TMC goons, syndicates, and corrupt elements. Surrender at your nearest police station before April 29. No one will be spared after May 4. The mafia of Bishnupur and TMC's syndicate, listen carefully, this will no longer be tolerated."
The Prime Minister also outlined promises targeted at women voters in the state. He said women would receive free rations and ₹36,000 annually through the proposed 'Maatri Shakti Bharosa Card' if the BJP forms the government in West Bengal.
"The safety of sisters and your prosperity are the priorities of the BJP. Due to the corruption of the TMC government, women in Bengal do not receive the benefits they get in neighbouring BJP-ruled states. If the BJP government is formed in Bengal, poor women will receive free rations, and no one will be able to steal their benefits," Modi said.
He added that a BJP government would provide assistance of up to ₹1.5 lakh to women under PM Awas Yojana for building permanent homes. Referring to the proposed welfare scheme, he said, "There's a lot of buzz around the 'Maatri Shakti Bharosa Card.' Through this, every sister in Bengal will receive ₹36,000 every year."
Women constitute a significant voter base for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's TMC, with both BJP and TMC focusing on women voters ahead of the polls.
The TMC has announced its own welfare scheme, Lakshmi Bhandar, under which women in the general category receive ₹1,500 per month, while SC/ST women receive ₹1,700. The party has also promised ₹1,500 monthly assistance for unemployed youth.
The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes set for May 4. Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP is making a renewed push to form the government in the state.
PM Modi also praised the large turnout at his rally in Purulia amid scorching heat. He said, "Scorching Sunday afternoon in Purulia but the enthusiasm is record high!"
Sharing a video on X, he noted that there was an impromptu roadshow followed by a packed rally.
In a mark of appreciation, attendees gifted paintings to the Prime Minister, including one depicting him with his mother Heeraben Modi.
A local supporter said, "I have been working on this painting for four nights. It is to show respect to PM Modi's mother for raising a son who has made India proud."
Another attendee expressed confidence in BJP's victory, saying the enthusiasm reflected public support for change in West Bengal, while also alleging lack of development and employment under the TMC government.
