TMC seeks free pass to loot Bengal, plans attacks on central agencies: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an election rally on Sunday, alleged that the Trinamool Congress orchestrates attacks on central probe agencies because it wants a free pass for looting and terror in Bengal.

The comment came a day after a mob allegedly attacked a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on Saturday when they went to arrest two prime suspects in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district.

Modi attacks TMC

Modi was speaking at an election rally in Jalpaiguri district when he lashed out at the TMC, Bengal’s ruling party. “The TMC government seeks to have a free pass for looting and terror in Bengal. To shield its extortionist and corrupt leaders, the TMC orchestrates attacks on central investigative agencies when they operate here. The TMC is disregarding the law and the Constitution of the country,” Modi said.

Modi further alleged that the “TMC’s syndicate” rules over Bengal and added that the situation in the state is so bad that “the court has to intervene” in various matters. He also assured people that the culprits of Sandeshkhali will spend the rest of their lives in jail.

On Sandeshkhali

“The entire country has seen what happened in Sandeshkhali,” he remarked, referring to the alleged atrocities committed by suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. The TMC leader has been arrested in connection with an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials when they went to raid his premises over an alleged ration distribution scam. The incident also subsequently brought to light the alleged sexual abuse of Sandeshkhali women by Shahjahan and his gang.

The Prime Minister also accused the TMC government of impeding the implementation of the Centre’s welfare schemes for the poor in the state. The TMC, on the other hand, has made a poll issue of the funds freeze by the Centre, which has claimed it was done due to rampant corruption.

(With agency inputs)