Jhargram, April 19 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the upcoming Assembly election in West Bengal was a battle to save the state's identity, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of pursuing politics that favoured "infiltrators" over the native population.

Addressing a rally in the tribal-dominated Jhargram district ahead of the April 23, Modi alleged that the TMC wanted to form a "government of infiltrators and for infiltrators", urging voters to unite to remove it from power.

"This election is to save the rich heritage of this land. It is for saving the identity of Bengal. Today, there is fear of Bengal losing its identity," he said.

"The path that the TMC is treading is very dangerous. The TMC wants to form a government of infiltrators and for infiltrators. A government that will protect only the religion of infiltrators, the language of infiltrators and the customs of infiltrators, rather than those of the people of Bengal," he alleged.

Modi claimed that for such a government, the biggest obstacle would be the ordinary people of West Bengal.

"For the TMC's infiltrator government, if there is any enemy, it will be the brothers and sisters sitting here," he said.

The PM claimed resentment against the TMC government had spread across communities and regions of the state.

"Therefore, every community, every class, every region of Bengal has resolved this time, and has taken a pledge to oust this TMC government," he claimed.

Sharpening the BJP's pitch in the tribal belt, Modi accused the TMC of neglecting the region despite being in power for 15 years.

"You gave 15 years to the ruthless TMC government. Fifteen years is no small amount of time. What has the TMC government given you? What have the tribal areas received? No education, no income, no medicine and no irrigation. Everything here is in dire straits," he alleged.

The PM alleged that TMC leaders were illegally occupying tribal land in several parts of the state.

Modi said 'Van Dhan Kendras', community-owned centres to train tribals for value addition to minor forest produce, would be expanded if the BJP came to power.

He said the BJP would promote homestays and eco-tourism in Jhargram, and the Centre has already taken steps to improve rail connectivity through Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains.

He, however, claimed the pace of development was being slowed by the state government.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.