Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday intensified the Bharatiya Janata Party campaign for regime change in West Bengal, claiming that the first phase of Assembly polling had confirmed a “wave of change” and marked the beginning of the end of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress government.

Addressing an election rally at Panihati in the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency, Modi said the high voter turnout in the first phase reflected public support for the BJP and rejection of what he described as TMC’s “dictatorship.” Nearly 92 per cent of the 3.60 crore electorate voted in the opening round on Thursday.

He said the momentum for change had been visible for some time and that the first phase polling had endorsed it. According to Modi, the turnout had also sounded the beginning of BJP’s victory in the state.

The Prime Minister accused the TMC of damaging democratic institutions in Bengal and said voters had begun restoring them through the ballot. He urged voters to carry that momentum into the second phase of polling.

Stepping up his attack, Modi alleged that the TMC had unleashed intimidation after seeing Thursday’s turnout. He claimed party workers and voters were being threatened overnight by ruling party supporters.

He further said the first phase had already signalled the end of what he termed TMC’s “jungle raj,” adding that after results on May 4, those responsible for violence and intimidation would have nowhere to hide.

Casting the election as a broader ideological struggle, Modi invoked Subhas Chandra Bose and said Bengal needed a new revolution through democratic means. He called on voters to bring change with the power of each vote.

The Prime Minister also promised that a BJP government would free the state from fear, corruption, syndicate control, crimes against women, unemployment, forced migration and illegal infiltration. He said restoring Bengal’s pride required political change.

Targeting the TMC on women’s issues, Modi called it an anti-women party and said the BJP believed in women-led development. He highlighted candidates fielded by the party, including the mother of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case and a woman linked to the Sandeshkhali controversy.

He promised that if the BJP formed the government, files related to atrocities against women would be reopened and justice pursued.

Modi also reached out to the middle class, referring to tax relief measures introduced by the Centre and promising further benefits under a BJP government in Bengal.

Invoking Syama Prasad Mukherjee, he said the BJP’s ideological roots were linked to Bengal.

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On the economy, Modi alleged that TMC’s 15-year rule had weakened the state’s industrial base. He said places once known for employment opportunities, including Kolkata and industrial areas like Dum Dum, had suffered because of broken promises and syndicate rule.