Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp political offensive against the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on Saturday, December 21, 2025, setting the tone for the upcoming Assembly elections. In a unique address delivered over the phone to a gathering in Taherpur, Nadia, after his helicopter could not land due to poor visibility, Modi called for an end to what he termed the TMC's "jungle raj" and pitched for a "double-engine" BJP government in the state.
A Virtual Rally and a Strong Political Message
The Prime Minister drew a direct parallel with the recent electoral verdict in Bihar, stating that the people there had rejected jungle raj. "Bihar has paved the way for victory in Bengal," he asserted, emphasizing a unified public sentiment for change. Modi accused the TMC government of being defined by "corruption, nepotism and appeasement," which he claimed were stalling the state's progress despite ample central funds and plans.
He expressed frustration over stalled development projects worth thousands of crores, questioning why Bengal's development was being "held hostage" by political opposition. Modi challenged the TMC, saying, "They can oppose me a hundred times, a thousand times... But I cannot understand why the development of West Bengal is being held hostage."
The Core Allegation: Protecting 'Infiltrators'
In a significant part of his speech, Modi trained his guns on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a process the BJP has heavily advocated for in the state. He alleged that the TMC was opposing this revision solely to protect "infiltrators" who enjoy the party's "support and patronage."
Referring to protest boards saying 'Go back, Modi' seen on social media, the PM remarked, "I would have been happy if they had written 'Go back, infiltrators'. But they are quiet on infiltrators. The infiltrators are very dear to the TMC... This is the true face of the TMC." He made these comments in Nadia, a district that shares a border with Bangladesh, making the issue of cross-border infiltration a sensitive local topic.
Appealing to Communities and Invoking Legacy
Addressing an area with a significant Matua community presence, Modi invoked the legacy of community founders Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur, praising their spirit of social welfare. This outreach is seen as crucial, given the community's substantial demographic influence and their concerns regarding citizenship.
To bolster his case for a BJP government, Modi cited the example of Tripura, where the party replaced a long-standing Left Front government. "The people gave us an opportunity and we used that opportunity to develop the state," he said, arguing that West Bengal needed a similar chance. He claimed the TMC had merely incorporated the "vices" of the earlier Left regime.
Concluding on a cultural note, Modi hailed Bengal's contribution to Indian history and culture, specifically mentioning Vande Mataram. He called for making the song a mantra for 21st-century nation-building and inspiration for a developed India.
The speech, delivered remotely but with direct political intent, marks a clear escalation in the BJP's campaign for the 2026 West Bengal elections, framing the contest as a choice between a corrupt "jungle raj" and a development-oriented "double-engine" model under his party's leadership.
