Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday renewed his call for political change in West Bengal, addressing a public rally in Krishnanagar as the first phase of voting in the West Bengal Assembly Election got underway.
Striking an optimistic tone, PM Modi asserted that the current election was witnessing one of the lowest levels of violence in decades. He credited the Election Commission of India for ensuring a largely peaceful polling process and restoring democratic practices in the state.
“This is the first election in 50 years where violence is at its lowest. The Election Commission has re-established democracy in Bengal,” PM Modi said, while alleging that in previous years, incidents of political violence were often misrepresented.
Also read: Bengal polls: Phase-I marred by violence, BJP candidate attacked
Citing reports of high voter participation, the Prime Minister claimed that the state was witnessing record turnout, which he said reflected a strong desire for change among the electorate. “A storm of change is sweeping across Bengal. I can see hope defeating fear,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels with elections in other states, Modi suggested that high voter turnout had historically translated into decisive victories for the BJP. He expressed confidence that similar trends would emerge in West Bengal.
Sharpening his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), PM Modi alleged widespread dissatisfaction with its governance, claiming that people across constituencies were demanding change. He further criticised the state government’s record over the past 15 years, contrasting it with the BJP’s development agenda and its ‘double-engine government’ model.
The Prime Minister also sought to energise party workers and voters, urging them to turn out in large numbers and vote without fear. He predicted that the BJP would form the next government in the state and announced that May 4 would mark a ‘grand victory celebration’.
In a lighter moment, PM Modi recalled his recent Jhargram visit, where he made an impromptu stop at a snack shop for Jhalmuri, quipping that its ‘spice’ had already begun to trouble the TMC, drawing cheers from the crowd.
PM Modi is scheduled to address multiple rallies on Thursday in south Bengal as campaigning intensifies alongside the ongoing polling process.
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