TMC 'scared' of anti-corruption bill, says PM; bats for 'parivartan' in Bengal

Kolkata: Prime minister Narendra Modi, who was in poll-bound Kolkata on Friday, harped on the anti-corruption bill presented in Parliament, claiming that the TMC was 'scared of the bill' as a number of their ministers were involved in corruption, and called for 'parivartan' to bring more development to Bengal.

"Our new anti-corruption bill will ensure that no one -- a CM, minister or PM -- can be in power if involved in corruption," Modi said at a public rally in Kolkata. Referring to the cash for jobs scam involving TMC ministers, he said, "In Bengal, even ministers were arrested with huge amounts of cash but they didn't resign. We have seen people running governments from jail."

"If a government employee is arrested and kept in jail for 50 days, he gets suspended. But if a CM, minister or PM goes to jail, no law prevails for them," he said.


"A TMC minister was in jail in connection with the recruitment scam. But the minister was not ready to leave his post. Another minister was in jail in connection with the ration scam. We have a CM who goes to jail, and runs the government from jail. So, I decided that this cannot go on...if a CM, ministers or PM does not get bail, his chair will also go," Modi said.

Parivartan in Bengal

"Bengal deserves industries, jobs, safety for women, respect for farmers, and true governance. This is only possible with BJP at the helm. The voice of Bengal today is - 'remove TMC, save Bengal'," he said.

Talking on infiltration, Modi said, "Our country cannot tolerate infiltration. India has limited resources and jobs for its youth should be provided. Infiltrators put pressure on the economy and put the safety of women at stake."

"The India government has taken measures, but the INDIA bloc is helping infiltration. West Bengal is a bordering state. Unless financial strength and growth happens, the state will not become part of Vikshit Bharat. Demographic changes are happening," he said highlighting his Independence Day speech where he spoke about a Demographic Commission.

Starting his speech in Bengali, Modi said: "I have come to Kolkata where Durga puja preparation are on. In Kumartali, Durga idols are being made. When such a festival is connected with development projects, it becomes beautiful," Modi said.

BJP's motto is 'Banglar Uday', said Modi adding that in the last 10 years, the Centre has provided funds for Bengal's development, which is triple the funds compared to the Congress-led UPA, he said.

"There is a big challenge as funds sent to the state government directly is looted by TMC and not spent on people. That fund is spent on TMC cadres," Modi said. "In poverty alleviation, Bengal ranks far behind other states. Earlier, Assam and Tripura had similar condition. But when the BJP government came, benefits have started flowing," he said, calling for a change in Bengal. "West Bengal need a true Parivartan," he said. "TMC will go, and true parivartan will come," Modi said.

"The next year is very significant. Bengal needs true parivartan. Employment, safety and security to women, giving facilities to farmers and real price for their crops is needed," he said.

"This is Syamaprasad Mookherjee's 125 years birth anniversary. Had we followed his principles, country would have been different. We are proud to be Syamaprasad Mookherjee's soldiers, sevaks of Ma bharti. Aatmanirbharta is the new mantra, 'Make in India' is the new goal," Modi said.

"BJP keeps the promises it makes. We saw during Operation Sindoor how our soldiers crossed borders and terrorists were taught a lesson. Pakistan lost sleep over this," Modi noted.

Talking on 'Make in India', he said the contribution made by Ichhapore factory to the defence industry is great and are manufacturing modern guns. "Elect a BJP government in 2026 and we will make Bengal sapno ka karkhana (factory of dreams).

Infrastructure Projects

The PM laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore. He laid the foundation stone for a 7.2-km six-lane elevated Kona Expressway worth over Rs 1,200 crore. Union railway minister Aswini Vaishnaw, Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, Union minister Santanu Thakur were present at the programme.

Modi also inaugurated a 13.61-km metro rail network in Kolkata. He also visited the Jessore Road metro station, where he flagged off the Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service. He travelled on the metro from Jessore Road to Jai Hind Bimanbandar and back. He also flagged off the Sealdah-Esplanade metro service and the Beliaghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro service virtually.