Modi calls Mamata 'sticker Didi'
Ranaghat (WB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the firebrand Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling her "sticker Didi" who labels central welfare schemes as those of her own government.
Modi had in his earlier poll meetings in the state called Banerjee, who is among his fiercest critics, "speed breaker Didi" for allegedly blocking implementation of central schemes in the state. He often refers to Banerjee as Didi.
"Speedbreaker Didi is also sticker Didi. She just puts a sticker on central schemes like free electricity or ration for the people to claim that these benefits are from the state government," he said at a rally at Ranaghat in the border district of Nadia.
He claimed that Banerjee has betrayed the people of Bengal, who gave her "so much trust and respect" and the the reason why the electorate had voted the Left out of power and supported has not been fulfilled by her yet.
Banerjee had swept to power in 2011 after defeating the Left Front who had been in power for 34 long years in the state. He claimed that the TMC has brought more miseries to the people of the state through goondaism, syndicates and extortion.
In West Bengal, 'syndicate' means the business run by persons allegedly enjoying political patronage, who force promoters and contractors to buy construction materials, often of inferior quality at high prices.
"The situation in Bengal at present is such that there is mamata (affection) for the goondas and nirmamta (disaffection) for the people," he said punning on the word.
Modi had at a rally in Asansol in the state on Tuesday alleged that there is "rampant corruption and crimes" in the state and said that "under speed breaker Didi only corruption and crime are two non-stop things in Bengal".
The prime minister claimed that after three phases of elections, it is clear from reports that Banerjee's "Sun is about to set in West Bengal" and thanked the Election Commission for making all out efforts to hold free and fair elections. "That is why Didi is angry with the poll body."
Accusing Banerjee and her party of trying to browbeat the saffron party in West Bengal, Modi said that BJP is not a party to be afraid of intimidation and violence.
"If that was so, it would not have come to power from a party with only two MPs and go on to become the world's largest political party ... If Didi has the power of goondas then we (BJP) have the strength of democracy," Modi said.
He alleged that Banerjee who used to shed tears in Parliament seeking illegal immigrants be thrown out of the country, is now their "biggest protector".
The Citizenship (Amednment) Bill will be brought in Parliament and all illegal immigrants will be thrown out of the country, he asserted. The Bill had been passed by Lok Sabha on January 8 but lapsed as it was not introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
The issue of infiltration, which is high on the BJP's poll agenda, had been raked up by the prime minister in his Asansol rally too where he had said Banerjee has turned infiltrators into TMC cadres and is now using Bangladeshi actors to campaign for her.
The saffron party has also asserted introducing National Register of Citizens in Bengal, which is being opposed vehemently by Banerjee.
Modi accused Banerjee of stopping the Centre's 'Ayushman Bharat' health insurance scheme in Bengal and blamed her for depriving millions of poor people in the states of benefits of upto Rs five lakh.
"It is an example of sick mentality," he said.
The Prime Minister said that after May 23, when the results of the general elections are slated to be announced, some "hard decisions" will be taken and those involved in chitfund scams will be brought to book.
"Didi had thought a weak government in Delhi will ensure that no action is taken in respect of the the scams. We will not allow any neta or officer to go scotfree," he said.
Modi had at Asansol said the TMC is competing with Congress to break its record of corruption and jeered that the PM's post is not up for auction that it can be bought with the money looted from "Narada, Saradha" scams in the state.
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Punjab CM Mann calls twin blasts 'minor', blames BJP for creating atmosphere of fear
Chandigarh (PTI): Terming the twin blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar "minor", Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday targeted the BJP and said this was how the party was preparing for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Two blasts occurred on Tuesday night, one outside the Border Security Force's Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar at around 8 pm and another near the army cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar, at around 11 pm.
The BJP wants to create an atmosphere of fear, Mann told reporters, adding that the party wanted to scare people into getting their votes. "BJP is a communal party. The assembly elections are over in West Bengal, and they (BJP) have said that now it is Punjab's turn, which indicates that these minor blasts are part of their preparation for the Punjab assembly elections," the chief minister said, adding that investigations are underway.
Mann further alleged that the BJP always sought to gain votes by inciting violence and intimidating the public.
"I urge the BJP to cease such tactics. Punjab is a peaceful state. We are the people who always seek the welfare of the world," Mann said while speaking to reporters in Anandpur Sahib after starting his four-day 'Shukrana Yatra' for the implementation of the anti-sacrilege law.
He claimed that the BJP had a penchant for stirring up trouble in states where it is contesting elections.
Noting the significance of the newly enacted anti-sacrilege law -- the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026 -- Mann stated that it counteracts the BJP's efforts to provoke conflict between communities.
"With the anti-sacrilege law in place, no one will engage in sacrilegious acts at their behest," he said, further alleging that the law contradicts the BJP's agenda.
Mann expressed concern regarding the BJP's tactics, saying, "The BJP claims it is ready for Punjab. Are they trying to scare people with these minor blasts to secure votes? Punjab has already experienced dark times in the past."
"This is the BJP's style of working. In every state where it contests elections, it instigates riots, carries out minor blasts, and divides people based on religion and caste. This demonstrates their preparation for Punjab," he further alleged.
Mann also noted that Punjab often plays a significant role whenever the country faces a crisis. He emphasised that peace, along with law and order, will be maintained at all costs.
Later, in a statement, Mann alleged that the bomb blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar were part of a deliberate strategy to destabilise the state after the passage of the anti-sacrilege law.
Drawing parallels with West Bengal, Mann alleged that the BJP "thrives on creating communal tension, panic and unrest in poll-bound states to polarise voters," but asserted that peace-loving Punjabis would never allow the saffron party to destroy the hard-earned harmony of Punjab for electoral gains.
He further alleged that the BJP was trying to create "unrest" in Punjab on the pattern of West Bengal ahead of elections, but the people of Punjab are politically aware and united against such conspiracies.
"Violence, divisiveness and communal tension are the patent of the BJP and an integral part of the saffron party's politics. BJP is trying to incite violence and fear in Punjab on the pattern of Bengal to win the ensuing polls. However, BJP's nefarious designs will never succeed in Punjab because anything can germinate on the fertile land of Punjab, but seeds of hatred can never grow here," the chief minister claimed.
Condemning the blasts in the state, Mann alleged such incidents reflected the BJP's "brand of politics", aimed at spreading terror and panic to polarise society and garner votes. "This divisive politics is being pursued by the BJP in every poll-bound state for electoral gains," he alleged.
Mann said those responsible for the blasts would soon be exposed and brought to justice. "All those involved in this heinous crime against humanity will be brought to book and put behind bars very soon. Strict punishment will be ensured for these people because the Punjab Government has zero tolerance for any activity that threatens the peace, safety and integrity of Punjab," he said.
In response to a question about the West Bengal assembly elections, Mann mentioned Mamata Banerjee's complaints regarding the looting of the electoral mandate. "The Election Commission is also facing accusations. It should clarify its stance, ensuring it is not one-sided," Mann added.
