Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharply criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her government on Thursday. He said the recent violence in Murshidabad and Malda shows the “cruelty and indifference” of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Using the word “nirmamta”, which means cruelty in Hindi and sounds like Mamata’s name, Modi accused the TMC of ignoring the problems faced by people and failing to maintain law and order.

Speaking after launching a City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar, West Bengal, the Prime Minister said, "Today, West Bengal is grappling with a series of crises. The first is the widespread violence and lawlessness that are tearing apart the fabric of society. Incidents in Murshidabad and Malda are stark examples of the Trinamool government's cruelty and indifference to the people's suffering." This strong criticism comes after a report by a Calcutta High Court-appointed committee blamed local TMC leaders for communal riots in Murshidabad. The report also criticised the Bengal Police for not acting during the violence.

The riots in Murshidabad, caused by protests against the anti-Waqf law, have become a key issue for the BJP as the West Bengal assembly elections approach next year. BJP leaders accuse Mamata Banerjee’s party of playing politics by supporting certain groups and not protecting Hindus.

Corruption, education, and welfare schemes under attack

PM Modi also accused the TMC government of corruption and damaging West Bengal’s education system. He said, "The youth, poor, and middle-class families are bearing the brunt of corruption. The TMC government has ruined the future of thousands of teachers and their families. This is not just the destruction of a few thousand teachers, but the entire education system is deteriorating. Even now, they refuse to admit their mistakes, instead blaming the courts."

Modi further claimed that Mamata Banerjee’s government is stopping central government welfare schemes meant for poor and backward communities. “Why is the TMC so strongly against the poor, backward communities, and women? The central government has launched several welfare schemes, but the state government is not allowing their implementation in West Bengal,” he said.

He also criticised Mamata Banerjee for skipping last week’s NITI Aayog meeting. Modi said her party focuses only on politics and does not care about the development of Bengal or India. "The people here now have only the court to rely on. That's why the whole of Bengal is saying, 'We don't want a ruthless government!'" the Prime Minister added.

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