New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged voters in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, to cast their ballots without fear and to place their trust in the rule of law despite alleged intimidation by workers of the All India Trinamool Congress.
Addressing a public rally, Modi sharply criticised the ruling party and encouraged people not to be intimidated on polling day. He said voters had the confidence of the Bharatiya Janata Party to counter what he described as a culture of corruption and fear in the state. According to him, people should rely on the strength of democratic institutions and vote freely.
The Prime Minister asserted that the upcoming election would mark a turning point for the state. He said the polls would remove the climate of fear in Bengal and restore confidence among citizens if the BJP secured victory. Modi also indicated that after the election, there would be a thorough review of the actions of the state’s ruling leadership and that the law would take its course.
During the speech, he criticised the functioning of the state government and raised concerns about what he described as a disregard for constitutional institutions. Referring to a recent incident in Malda, Modi said the episode had shocked both the judiciary and citizens across the country. He questioned the safety of democratic processes and public institutions under the present administration, claiming the situation reflected a breakdown of law and order.
The rally marked Modi’s first election meeting in West Bengal since the announcement of the state assembly elections. The event was held at the Ras Mela grounds in Cooch Behar, a venue where he had previously addressed large gatherings during the campaigns for the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 state assembly polls.
With campaigning intensifying across the state, political parties are stepping up their outreach efforts as voters prepare to head to the polls in the coming weeks.
