PM launches Rs 5,400 crore projects in West Bengal :::: Namo accuses Trinamool of extorting money from businesses :::: "Women not safe,"

PM Modi slammed the Trinamool Congress for shielding the accused in the Kolkata gangrape case and accused the party of failing law and order in West Bengal.  PM Criticised Trinamool Congress for poor law and order management

He also promised a shift in the state’s economic trajectory saying -- "Once the BJP government is formed, Bengal can become one of top industrial states". 

Women not safe, Trinamool shielding culprits: PM's attack over Kolkata gangrape

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday, accusing the party of shielding the accused in the recent Kolkata gangrape case and hindering development in West Bengal.

Modi was in West Bengal on Friday (July 18th) to launch a slew of development projects worth Rs 5,400 crore in West Bengal, unveiling major initiatives across the oil and gas, power, rail and road sectors aimed at boosting infrastructure, connectivity and clean energy in the region. 

Namo sounds poll bugle - 2026 

West Bengal goes to polls in April-May 2026. Mamata Banerjee came to power in the state in 2011. In last assembly polls, BJP emerged as principal opposition to TMC but could not oust the state-based party. The Congress and the Left parties could not open account in 2021 assembly elections.   

The Prime Minister launched a sharp attack on Mamata-led party  government in West Bengal, accusing it of fostering "lies, lawlessness and loot".

Addressing a public rally in Durgapur, PM Modi claimed that people across the state were now turning to the BJP with hope.  

Targeting the ruling party’s law and order record, the Prime Minister said the TMC is failing to ensure safety and justice in the state. "Riots like Murshidabad happen in West Bengal and the police take unilateral action. There is no ray of justice in West Bengal. The state government cannot protect the lives of the people of the state," he said.

Modi also accused the TMC of extorting money from businesses and obstructing economic growth in the state. "In West Bengal, money is being demanded from businessmen, the people of the TMC threaten them.The 'Gunda Tax' of TMC obstructs investment in the state," he alleged.

Modi sounded the poll bugle as West Bengal is heading to elections in 2026. This was the premier's first visit to West Bengal since Samik Bhattacharya became the party's state president two weeks ago.

Claiming that Bengali 'ashmita' is supreme for the BJP, PM Modi said that Bengalis are respected wherever there is BJP government.  

Modi said the Trinamool Congress is acting like a wall in the path of West Bengal's development and filling the state's education system with corruption and crime. 

He added that Bengal will see real change only if CM Mamata Banerjee's party is ousted from power.  

As part of the day's events, the PM laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (BPCL) Rs 1,950-crore City Gas Distribution project in Bankura and Purulia districts.He also dedicated to the nation the Rs 1,190-crore Durgapur–Kolkata section (132 km) of the Durgapur–Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, laid under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) initiative.