New Delhi: The back to back public rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in West Bengal, one in Siliguri and the other in Kolkata, saw an overwhelming response with people coming in hoards with placards, cut-outs and Modi-masks. They also chanted slogans in support of the PM for his second term in the government.

While addressing the public gatherings in both the places, PM Modi came down heavily on the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for her party’s involvement in various issues, including the multi-crore chit fund scams, and termed Didi a “speed-breaker in the path of development”.

Here are the four key factors that PM Modi highlighted in his campaign speech in Bengal that should worry the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Development

“There is a speed-breaker in West Bengal which you know by the name of Didi. I am waiting for this speed-breaker to go off so that development can take place. This Didi is the speed-breaker of your development,” Modi told the mammoth crowd here. Taking a dig at the Saradha chit fund scam, he said that Didi’s ministers, MPs and officials ran away with the money of poor people.

They looted the poor people who believed in her leadership. “The 2019 election is a battle between two forces – Honest Chowkidaar and tainted political forces. I promise that I will return all the love you are showering on me with development,” Modi said.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme

Presenting the report card of his five-year regime at the Centre, PM Modi said that Speed-breaker Didi is not allowing the Ayushman Bharat Scheme which aims at benefitting the poor in getting medical treatments.

“The NDA government at the Centre launched the Ayushman Bharat Scheme that says poor people, in case of sickness, can be treated free of cost up to Rs. 5 lakh at hospitals and they will not have to spend a single penny for the treatment. But what did speed breaker Didi do? She did not allow the scheme which would have helped the poor people in Bengal,” he said.

Defence

“When our defence forces launched an air strike in Balakot, she raised questions. She asked the defence forces to show proof of destroying terror camps. When our brave soldiers entered enemy territory and destroyed terrorist launch pads, she called it a mere drama. We hit the terrorist camps in Pakistan, and Didi felt the pain here. Is it not an insult to our soldiers who lost lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack?” PM Modi said, igniting a sense of strong nationalism in the crowd.

He pointed out that AFSPA is a protective shield for the country's soldiers so that they can take any step towards ensuring the security of the country fearlessly. But the Congress wants to take it away from the army. “And not only the Congress but all its former allies are also doing the same. But let me assure you that I am here and I will not let that happen at any cost,” he said. Modi added that Trinamool Congress’ politics of hooliganism in Bengal would also come to an end soon.

“Those who are doing political vandalism on the payroll of the Trinamool Congress should leave all these. I want to warn them as soon as the BJP government comes to power here, they will be dealt with strict action”, said PM Modi, lashing out at the grand alliance convened by Mamata Banerjee ahead of the 2019 general election.

Farmer issues

He said that the Trinamool supremo also put a break on the development of over 70 lakh farmer households in Bengal. Money is being directly transferred to the farmers' bank accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Yojana in various states of the country.

PM Modi said that India is doing something today that was only a dream for everyone previously. Be it digital India, Make in India programme, space mission, surgical strikes, air strikes on enemy launch pads or Kolkata-Benaras inland waterways, the government has proved it's intent in the last five years. “It was only possible for you all. While opposing Modi, they forgot that they are going against the interest of our nation,” he added.

