Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Durgapur, West Bengal, today to launch infrastructure projects worth over ₹5,000 crore and address a BJP rally, aiming to bolster the party’s position ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The visit, marked by heightened political tensions, follows the Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s accusations of harassment against Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states like Assam, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
This marks Modi’s first trip to Bengal since Samik Bhattacharya’s appointment as the state BJP president earlier this month. In a post on X, Modi criticized the TMC, stating, “West Bengal is suffering due to TMC misrule. People are seeing the BJP with hope and are convinced that only the BJP can deliver on development.”
The TMC has intensified its Bengali identity narrative, alleging that BJP governments are targeting Bengali migrants through linguistic profiling, labeling them as “illegal Bangladeshis.” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, gearing up for her Martyrs’ Day rally on July 21, has accused the BJP of “criminalizing poverty.” The BJP, in response, claims the TMC’s governance has blurred lines between legitimate citizens and those using forged documents, fueling infiltration concerns.
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Modi’s Durgapur rally at Nehru Stadium is set to counter TMC’s narrative, highlighting the Centre’s development agenda. Key projects include the ₹1,950-crore Bharat Petroleum City Gas Distribution initiative in Bankura and Purulia, the ₹1,190-crore Durgapur-Kolkata section of the PM Urja Ganga pipeline, and ₹1,457-crore Flue Gas Desulphurization systems for cleaner energy at Durgapur and Raghunathpur power stations. Additionally, a ₹390-crore doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila rail line and ₹380-crore road overbridges in Paschim Bardhaman will boost connectivity and safety.
As Bengal braces for a heated political showdown, Modi’s visit underscores the BJP’s push to challenge TMC’s dominance while showcasing infrastructure achievements.
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