Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for invoking Goddess Kali during his rally in West Bengal on Friday, July 18. Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Moitra said that it was late in the day to invoke the goddess for votes in West Bengal. She further added that "Maa Kali" does not eat dhoklas.
“Bit late in the day to start invoking Maa Kali for Bengali votes Hon’ble @narendramodi- she doesn’t eat dhoklas & never will," the TMC MP wrote on his X handle.
Mahua Moitra's X Post | X
On Friday, PM Modi held a rally in West Bengal's Durgapur. He tore into the TMC, accusing it of risking Bengali 'ashmita' and national security by promoting infiltration for vote-bank politics. He also alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government has "crossed all limits" of appeasement politics. Notably, he began his speech hailing "Maa Kali" and "Maa Durga" - two revered goddesses in Bengal.
During his address, PM Modi targeted the TMC government over the alleged economic crisis in West Bengal. He said the state has become inhospitable for industry and investors.
"TMC's 'Gunda Tax' is deterring investment in Bengal. The state's resources have fallen into the hands of the mafia, and government policies are deliberately designed to enable ministers to engage in blatant corruption," he stated.
"TMC, because of its vested interests, has put the identity of West Bengal at stake. For the sake of vote-bank politics, infiltration is being encouraged here. An ecosystem has been created to support infiltrators. This is a threat to both national security and Bengal's security and identity," The Prime Minister alleged as quoted by PTI.
He also charged the ruling party with "openly challenging constitutional institutions" and "defending illegal immigrants.
Amid a growing political row over the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states, PM Modi slammed the TMC. "For the BJP, Bengali 'ashmita' is supreme. Wherever there is a BJP government, Bengalis are respected, Bengali language is respected," he said.
The Prime Minister launched projects worth Rs 5,400 crore in the state, across the oil and gas, power, rail, and road sectors.
