Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive public gathering at Taherpur’s Netaji Park on Saturday, shifting to a virtual address after dense fog and poor visibility prevented his helicopter from landing. Despite the logistical hurdle, the Prime Minister delivered a scathing critique of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), positioning the BJP as the “only hope” for the state’s future.

Development Projects Worth ₹3,200 Crore Unveiled

Before turning to political matters, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key infrastructure projects aimed at transforming connectivity in South Bengal. Central to these is the ₹3,200 crore expansion of National Highway 34, including:

• The inauguration of a 66.7 km four-lane stretch between Barajaguli and Krishnanagar.

• The foundation stone for the four-laning of the Barasat-Barajaguli section.

“Our efforts are focused on ensuring modern connectivity to Bengal’s far-flung areas, which have long suffered due to backwardness,” the Prime Minister stated, emphasizing that these roads would serve as a vital lifeline between Kolkata and Siliguri.

‘Maha Jungle Raj’ and the Call for a Double-Engine Government

Launching a direct offensive against the Mamata Banerjee-led government, PM Modi characterized the current administration as a “Maha Jungle Raj” defined by corruption, nepotism, and appeasement.

“The looting and intimidation by the Trinamool have crossed all limits,” Modi said during his address. He drew a parallel to recent electoral results in Bihar, suggesting that the neighboring state has “paved the way” for a BJP victory in Bengal by rejecting similar governance models. He urged the people of Nadia to support a “double-engine government” to sync the state’s growth with the Centre’s vision.

Addressing Matua Concerns and the SIR Exercise

The visit held significant weight as Taherpur lies in a Matua-dominated belt. The Prime Minister took the opportunity to address anxieties surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has seen nearly 4.5 lakh voters in the region flagged as “unmapped.”

Reassuring the refugee community, the Prime Minister and BJP leaders emphasized that no genuine refugee or member of the Namasudra community would lose their voting rights. He further urged eligible residents to apply for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), calling it the fulfillment of a long-standing promise to the Matua community.

A Sombre Note

The day was marked by tragedy as reports emerged that four individuals from Murshidabad district, who were traveling to attend the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident near Taherpur. Local BJP leaders expressed their condolences, and the incident cast a somber shadow over the event’s commencement.

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