Panihati (West Bengal): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the first phase of polling in West Bengal has confirmed a growing “wave of change” in the state, claiming that public support has already signalled a victory for the BJP in the ongoing Assembly elections.
Addressing a rally in Panihati under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency in North 24 Parganas, Modi said the outcome of the first phase reflected a decisive shift in voter sentiment.
“The wave of change that had been visible in Bengal for a long time — the first phase of voting has now sealed it. The support shown in favour of the BJP has sounded the conch shell of victory,” he said.
Polling in the first phase on Thursday witnessed a turnout of nearly 92 per cent of the 3.60 crore eligible voters.
Launching a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Prime Minister alleged that the party had “crushed the temple of democracy” through what he described as dictatorial governance. He claimed that voters had begun “reconstructing” democratic values through their participation in the elections.
“In Bengal, where the TMC had crushed the temple of democracy with its dictatorship, people have started rebuilding it. In the next phase, you must unfurl the flag of victory over this temple,” he said.
Modi further alleged that the TMC had been “rattled” after the first phase and accused it of mobilising “goons” overnight. He claimed that after the results are declared on May 4, those elements would “have no place to hide”.
Calling the first phase a turning point, he said it marked the beginning of the end of what he termed as “maha jungle raj” in the state.
The Prime Minister also targeted the TMC over women’s safety, describing it as an “anti-women party” while emphasising the BJP’s focus on “women-led development”.
Referring to candidates fielded by the BJP, Modi said the party had given representation to women who had faced injustice. He cited the example of the Panihati candidate, the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, and a survivor from Sandeshkhali, saying their candidature reflected the party’s commitment to justice and empowerment.
