TMC Leaders Mock PM Modi's Singur Rally, Highlight State's Development Push
West Bengal Industries Minister Shashi Panja openly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. She targeted his recent rally in Singur for lacking any concrete project announcements. Panja stated this omission left local BJP functionaries feeling deeply disappointed and frustrated.
"We Hoped for Projects, Got None": Minister's Sharp Critique
"We genuinely hoped the Prime Minister would announce specific projects for Singur's development. There was none," Panja said. She accused PM Modi of speaking broadly on multiple topics while deliberately avoiding any specifics or commitments for the region.
The Trinamool Congress also strongly pushed back against BJP's pre-rally narrative. The BJP had claimed an industry exodus from Bengal and attempted to revive Singur as a political symbol. TMC countered this by highlighting the state government's own initiatives.
TMC Showcases State's Rs 500-Crore Singur Project
In a post on social media platform X, the party pointed to a significant state-approved project. The West Bengal government has sanctioned a massive Rs 500-crore warehouse project. This development will occupy 11.35 acres of land in Singur.
The project is specifically aimed at boosting e-commerce logistics infrastructure in the area. Officials expect it to generate substantial employment opportunities for local residents, countering claims of economic stagnation.
Abhishek Banerjee Fires Back at PM's "Change" Call
Party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched a direct attack on PM Modi's call for "real change" in Bengal. He made his remarks during a roadshow in Nadia's Chapra area.
"Outsiders from Delhi, the landlords of Gujarat, will change. We, the people of Bengal, will not change," Banerjee declared emphatically. He further accused the central government of punishing Bengal by suspending funds for critical welfare schemes.
"Bengal will not change by bowing its head to such pressure," Banerjee asserted, framing the issue as one of regional pride and resistance.
Cultural Appropriation Allegations Take Center Stage
The political confrontation extended into the cultural sphere. TMC leaders accused the BJP of trying to "appropriate" Durga Puja and Bengali culture for political gain.
MP Partha Bhowmik sharpened this critique. He recalled the BJP's past legal challenge against state government grants for Durga Puja committees. Bhowmik credited Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with elevating the festival to a global stage, contrasting her support with the BJP's historical stance.
The exchange underscores the intense political rivalry in Bengal, where development claims and cultural identity remain potent electoral battlegrounds.
