Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated during 'Krishi Kalyan Sabha' rally, in Midnapore on Monday. (PT... Read More

MIDNAPORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi , in a 40-minute ' Kisan rally ' on Monday, lambasted the Mamata Banerjee government for "patronising a syndicate raj" to control every sphere of people's life, scaring away investment and even putting "pujas in danger".

Modi's jibes are seen as the beginning of his 2019 poll campaign in the state, where Trinamool Congress has managed to defend its bastion. He said Trinamool Congress has done more damage to the state than what the Left Front did in 34 years, urging people to vote the party out of power.

Mamata herself did not join issue but her party issued a quick rebuttal.

Referring to Trinamool posters with the chief minister's photographs put up near the rally venue, Modi said: "I am thankful to Mamata Didi. Even Trinamool cannot deny our achievements. It has put up posters of Didi with folded hands welcoming the Prime Minister."

Modi's sarcasm prompted a sharp response from Trinamool. "How far from the truth is that! On July 21, all over Bengal, similar signage can be seen for Trinamool's Shahid Divas rally. He is obviously not well-informed," read the party's response, issued by Trinamool secretary-general Partha Chatterjee and MP Derek O'Brien.

Taking a dig at the state's development claims, Modi said: "Development in the state is for a chosen few. It has become the new identity of Bengal… The syndicate is everywhere, from extorting people to snatching away profits from farmers. It works to keep the vote-bank for TMC intact and helps it cling on to power," he said as the crowd broke into applause and started chanting "Modi! Modi!"

"My government is your government. It is a government of farmers. Our government worked for farmers... from quality seeds to market. It is important to have warehouses to save the produce," Modi said, adding, "I hope the Bengal government will take the required steps to create infrastructure for farmers."

Criticising syndicates for trying to regulate farmers' markets, he said: "Even admission in colleges needs approval of the syndicates. From chit fund to potato bond, they are into everything… Puja bhi mushkil mein hai (even the pujas are in danger)."

Reacting to the PM's speech, Trinamool said it proved he had no development agenda. "He came and gave a political speech," the party said. "May we now ask the BJP leader how he plans to double farmers' income? It was a promise made many years ago in his party's manifesto, but still not delivered. In Bengal, farmers' income has more than tripled in seven years. In 2011, it was Rs 91,000 and last year it went up to Rs 2,90,000… In the first quarter of 2017, the number of farmer suicides in Maharashtra was 635, while the figure for Bengal was zero. Hope the BJP leader has got his answer," the party added.

People stated pouring in since early morning despite a heavy shower to see Modi. Midnapore , which hosted a Prime Minister after 49 years (Indira Gandhi held a rally in the town in 1969 during her Lok Sabha campaign), was brimming with excitement. Roads leading to the venue were replete with people carrying saffron flags. Men and women walked on foot, many in a humble attire, as vehicle movement was not allowed within a 4km radius of the rally venue.

Trinamool, however, claimed the meeting was attended by mostly people from neighbouring states, such as Jharkhand and Odisha, and that even some vehicles from Patna were spotted. "There were hardly any locals or farmers," the TMC statement read.



In Video: Narendra Modi in Bengal: PM lashes out at Mamata govt, says ‘even offering puja has become difficult in state’