In a strategic political move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a significant rally in Singur, Hooghly district, directly countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent criticisms of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's policies. This event, held just months before the state Assembly elections, marked a sharp escalation in the ongoing political tussle between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
From Ground Zero of TMC Rise, Mamata Sharpens Counter to Modi
On January 18, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while launching development projects worth over Rs 830 crore in Singur, targeted the TMC for its "anti-industry" stance, citing poor law and order and a "syndicate tax" as hindrances to Bengal's industrial growth. He pitched for a "double-engine" BJP government to accelerate development. In response, on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chose the same location—Singur, the site of the failed Tata Nano plant that once fueled her anti-land acquisition agitation and propelled the TMC to power—to launch a robust counter-narrative.
Massive Project Inauguration and Foundation Stone Laying
During her rally, Banerjee inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a staggering 1,694 government projects, with an estimated total value of about Rs 33,551 crore. This move is seen as a direct rebuttal to Modi's claims, aiming to showcase the TMC's commitment to development and welfare in West Bengal. In her address, Banerjee slammed the BJP, stating, "Many people make big promises but do not keep them. My principle is that it is better to die rather than break promises. I keep 100% promises. I don't do jumla. We are not a double-engine government. We are the government of 'ma', 'mati' and 'manush'."
Industry and Agriculture to Grow Together
Addressing Modi's critique head-on, Banerjee emphasized that "agriculture and industry will thrive together" in Singur. She announced the commissioning of a private industrial park over 77 acres, where e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart will set up large warehouses, expected to generate employment for thousands. Additionally, she highlighted an agro-industrial park built over eight acres at a cost of Rs 9.2 crore, designed to create jobs while supporting local farmers. "Both agriculture and industry will thrive together, but not by forcefully grabbing farmland," she asserted, reinforcing her long-standing stance against coercive land acquisition.
Banglar Bari Scheme Amid Stalled PMAY Funds
Amid an ongoing tussle with the Centre over halted funds for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Bengal since 2022, Banerjee announced the third phase of the state's own Banglar Bari scheme. She revealed plans to build another 32 lakh houses within the next two months, bringing the total to one crore houses already constructed. "Delhi has not paid a single rupee. Thirty-two lakh houses will be given in two months... I don't want anyone to suffer. Let everyone have a roof over their heads," she said. This scheme has been used by the TMC to attack the BJP for its "anti-Bengali" stance and promote state self-reliance, despite concerns over West Bengal's mounting debts, which stood at Rs 7.72 lakh crore in 2025-26.
Ghatal Master Plan to Combat Floods
Banerjee also pushed for the Ghatal Master Plan, aimed at curbing devastating floods in Paschim Medinipur district's low-lying regions. She criticized the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), a Central agency, for allegedly causing "man-made floods" and accused the Centre of neglecting the issue for a decade. "Now we will fool them and sanction money for the Ghatal Master Plan. Already Rs 500 crore of work has been completed. Another Rs 1,000 crore in work will be completed very soon," she declared. The plan includes increasing river dam heights by about 50 metres, digging canals and rivers up to 50 km, and constructing pump houses, regulators, and bridges by 2027. Actor-politician and Ghatal MP Dipak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, thanked Banerjee, stating, "Only one person kept their word and that is Mamata Banerjee."
TMC vs BJP Over SIR and Language Issues
The rally also touched on contentious issues like the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bengal. Banerjee threatened legal action, calling it a "conspiracy" to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and alleging the deletion of two crore names. "Remember this is a democracy, not a dictatorship or an autocracy," she warned, blaming the BJP for alleged SIR-related deaths.
Additionally, Banerjee targeted the Centre over the Bengali language, claiming it received "classical language" status only under TMC pressure. She cited recent cases of alleged violence against Bengali speakers in BJP-ruled states, continuing the TMC's "Bhasha Andolan" launched last July to counter what she termed "linguistic terrorism."
This rally in Singur not only reinforced Mamata Banerjee's political narrative but also set the stage for a heated electoral battle in West Bengal, highlighting key issues of development, welfare, and regional identity.
