THAKURNAGAR (WEST BENGAL): Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched blistering attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers, claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for his party. He also accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers. Modi also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution.
Addressing a well-attended event of the Scheduled Caste Matua community, where his speech was welcomed with loud cheers, Modi said, “Now I can understand why Didi (Banerjee) and her party are indulging in violence... killing innocent people. She has become jittery because of your love for us.” Calling the Budget a “historic step” for the welfare of farmers, the working and middle class, he said these sections were neglected for years after Independence. He said, “We have announced measures in our budget that will benefit 12 crore small farmers, 30-40 crore workmen, and three crore middle class people.”
Before the rally, Modi visited the Matua Thakurbari and sought the blessings of Baro Ma, the current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harishchandra Thakur.
