The Hindu (Mumbai)

Storm of Sandeshkha­li will rage across Bengal, says PM

Modi says women voters will come out in large numbers to ‘destroy the mafia rule’ by the Trinamool Congress govt. that is bent on protecting extortioni­sts and those committing crimes

- Shiv Sahay Singh

ccusing the Trinamool Congress government of using all its might to shield those accused of the Sandeshkha­li violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the “storm of Sandeshkha­li” will rage across West Bengal and bring an end to the Trinamool regime.

“The anger of women will not be limited to Sandeshkha­li alone. The storm of Sandeshkha­li will rage across Bengal. I can see that the women of Bengal have come out to destroy the mafia rule of West Bengal,” the Prime Minister said addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) Nari Shakti Vandana rally at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district.

AAnti-women Trinamool

The Prime Minister said that the Trinamool Congress government had faith in their leader who committed atrocities on women but not on the women of the State. He accused the Trinamool Congress government of being antiwomen and said that only BJP can give voice to the women of the State.

“The TMC government which works under the influence of extortioni­sts and those believing in appeasemen­t politics cannot provide security to women. On the other hand the BJP government at the Centre has brought provision of death penalty for crimes like rape,” he said.

The public meeting at Barasat was organised by the BJP to highlight the Sandeshkha­li issue and may women had come to meet the Prime Minister. Sources in the BJP said that the victims of violence at Sandeshkha­li shared their ordeal with Mr. Modi.

Sandeshkha­li, where allegation­s of land grab and sexual assault have triggered an outrage, has emerged as a poll plank for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

“We have created a helpline so that our sisters can easily complain in times of crisis. However, the TMC government is not allowing this system to be implemente­d here. Such an antiwomen government can never do any good for women,” the Prime Minister said.

He also targeted the leaders of the Opposition INDIA alliance and said that sensing the return of the NDA government, the leaders of the Opposition have started hurling abuses at him. “These corrupt leaders of the bloc are asking about my family, claiming that Modi does not have his own family; this is because I speak against dynasty politics and nepotism,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi inaugurate­d several metro rail projects, including East West Metro’s EsplanadeH­owrah Maidan section, which passes under the Hooghly river through underwater transporta­tion tunnels.

Mamata hikes salaries

As the politics in the State has become centred on women ahead of the election, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hiked the salary of ASHA and anganwadi workers. Ms. Banerjee said that ASHA workers would receive an enhanced remunerati­on of ₹750 every month, and the monthly remunerati­on for anganwadi workers would be increased by ₹500.

 ?? ANI ?? Narendra Modi being garlanded by the BJP’s Mahila Morcha members at a rally on Wednesday.
ANI Narendra Modi being garlanded by the BJP’s Mahila Morcha members at a rally on Wednesday.

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