Central agencies attacked in Bengal as TMC wants to protect corrupt leaders: PM Modi

Modi's comments come a day after an NIA team was allegedly attacked by a mob on Saturday when attempting to arrest two main suspects in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district.

PTI, Jalpaiguri (WB), Apr 7, 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the TMC desires a free license for corruption and violence in West Bengal, which is why central agencies investigating such cases face attacks in the state.

Modi's comments come a day after an NIA team was allegedly attacked by a mob on Saturday when attempting to arrest two main suspects in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district.

"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," he said while addressing an election rally in Jalpaiguri district here.

Asserting that the "TMC's syndicate Raj" prevails in West Bengal, Modi mentioned that the situation in the state is such that "the court has to intervene" in various matters.

Referring to recent incidents in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders emerged, Modi assured people that the culprits of Sandeshkhali will spend the rest of their lives in jail.

"The entire country has witnessed what happened in Sandeshkhali," he remarked.

The prime minister accused the TMC government of impeding the implementation of the Centre's welfare schemes for the poor in the state.Modi's comments come a dayafter an NIA team was allegedlyattacked by a mob on Saturdaywhen attempting to arrest two mainsuspects in a 2022 blast case in WestBengal's Purba Medinipur district."The TMC is disregarding the lawand the constitution of thecountry," he said. The attack onNIA on Saturday evoked memoriesof January 5 when a team of theEnforcement Directorate (ED) wasattacked by a mob in North 24Parganas district's Sandeshkhaliduring a search at the house ofTMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, whowas later suspended, inconnection with allegedirregularities in the publicdistribution system.Modi mentioned that thesituation in the state is such that"the court has to intervene" invarious matters. The primeminister accused the TMCgovernment of impeding theimplementation of the Centre'swelfare schemes for the poor in thestate. "The TMC is not allowing thecentral funds to reach the poorpeople of the state. They want thecentral funds in their own accountfirst. The syndicate Raj of TMC isgoing on across West Bengal. TheTMC government is putting brakeson central schemes for the welfareof the poor," he said.Claiming that the EnforcementDirectorate has attached propertiesworth Rs 3,000 crore from corruptleaders of the TMC in variouscorruption cases in Bengal, Modisaid suggestions are being taken onways to return the money to thosewho have given it. "I guarantee youthat the money looted by corruptleaders will be given back to thepoor people who had to give moneyto get jobs," he said.Modi allegedthat the opposition alliance is busyindulging in politics of lies anddeceit. "I am saying removecorruption; the opposition is saying'save the corrupt.' I will ensure thecorrupt are punished, and the poorget justice. After June 4 (when LokSabha poll results will beannounced), more stringent actionwill be taken against the corrupt," hesaid.The prime minister said, "TheTMC, Left, and the Congress haveformed INDI Alliance to protect thecorrupt." Referring to recentincidents in Sandeshkhali, whereallegations of sexual abuse againstTMC leaders emerged, Modiassured people that the culprits ofSandeshkhali will spend the rest oftheir lives in jail."The entire country haswitnessed what happened inSandeshkhali. Don't you thinkSandeshkhali culprits should getstrong punishment?" he remarked.PM Modi during a rally at CoochBehar on April 4 had said that theculprits of Sandeshkhali will haveto spend the rest of their lives in jail.Urging people to elect a strong andstable government, Modi said, "Thestronger the central government,the stronger the trust of the world inBharat." "I work 24x7 for 2047. Thepast 10 years of the NDAgovernment were dedicated toeasing the lives of marginalizedcommunities. You supported me,and I decided to transform thelandscape of India. What you haveseen in the last 10 years is just atrailer," he said. The prime ministeralso came down heavily on AICCpresident Mallikarjun Kharge,without mentioning him by name,who recently objected to raising theissue of the abrogation of Article370 by BJP leaders during pollcampaigns in other states. "TheCongress president thinks Article370 has nothing to do with otherstates. Is Jammu and Kashmir not anintegral part of the country? Thisreflects their divisive mindset. Itwas Syama Prasad Mookerjee, aBengali, who fought against Article370 and gave his life for the cause,"said Modi.