BJP supporters holding masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend his public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha elections, in Gaya, on April 16, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused the Trinamool Congress of preventing Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal and termed the Calcutta High Court’s ruling that allowed a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Howrah as “victory of truth”.
“Like always, Trinamool has tried to prevent Ram Navami celebrations here. They tried all the conspiracies. But the truth has emerged victorious. Court has given permission and tomorrow the processions of Ram Navami will begin,” the Prime Minister said, while addressing a rally at Balurghat.
During the day, Mr. Modi addressed another public rally at Raiganj in the State, where he said the Trinamool tries to stop Ram Navami processions but those who throw stones at the processions have “full permission”.
Ram Navami will be observed on Wednesday and there have been instances of communal flare-ups in the State during the festival over the past few years. Leaders of both the BJP and the Trinamool had been involved in Ram Navami processions in the past.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said, “The BJP wants to use Lord Ram and religion for their political benefits while we want people’s support based on the work we do [for them] day and night”. The Trinamool leader urged people to seek blessings from Lord Ram as the procession passes by but give a befitting reply to the BJP for their deceit.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also expressed apprehensions over communal tensions rising during Ram Navami celebrations on Wednesday. Ms. Banerjee urged people of minority communities to maintain calm if people raise slogans during Ram Navami.
During his speech at both Balurghat and Raiganj, the Prime Minister accused the Trinamool of “protecting infiltrators” and said that the party was opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) which gives citizenship to refugees. The Prime Minister said the Trinamool “has permitted Rohingyas and infiltrators to change the demography of the State and create law and order problems”.
CAA rules were notified in March 2024 and the law has emerged as a major political issue in the State.
Mr. Modi said that under the Trinamool regime, corruption and crime have become full-time businesses in Bengal. “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 Trinamool has given the State on lease to infiltrators and goons,” he added.
State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar is contesting from Balurghat and is up against Trinamool’s Biplab Mitra. BJP candidate Kartick Pal is contesting from Raiganj and is pitted against Trinamool’s Krishna Kalyani.
Raiganj and Balurghat go to polls on April 26. The BJP won both the seats in 2019.