PM Credits BJP For ‘New Dawn’ In West Bengal

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said West Bengal had “broken free of its shackles” and begun a new phase of development under the BJP government, while linking the state’s present to its Partition-era history.

Addressing Paschimbanga Divas celebrations, he said June 20 marked a defining moment that ensured a part of Bengal remained within India.

“There is now a new freshness in the air of Bengal. It feels as if Bengal has now broken free from its shackles, as if the return of Bengal's glory has begun,” he said.

“Today, after the elections and the swearing-in, I have the good fortune for the first time to come amid you. There is a glow on the faces of Bengal's people, and a sentiment of joy and trust in villages It is clearly visible in Bengal how your one vote can bring about a change,” he said.

The Prime Minister said it was important to highlight the significance of Paschimbanga Divas for younger generations, describing it as a reminder of a crucial historical phase.

Referring to events before Partition, he alleged that attempts were made to include undivided Bengal in Pakistan and credited Syama Prasad Mookerjee with leading resistance.

“When efforts were being made to make the whole of Bengal a part of Pakistan, Congress had bowed before conspiratorial forces. It was then that Syama Prasad Mookerjee raised his voice against it,” he said.

He said several prominent personalities, including Meghnad Saha, R.C. Majumdar, Jadunath Sarkar, Suniti Kumar Chatterji, G.D. Birla and P.R. Thakur, supported the movement.

“As a result, anti-India forces realised that separating all of Bengal from India was impossible and a part of Bengal remained with Mother India in the form of West Bengal,” he said.

Referring to violence during the period, he said the 1946 disturbances in Kolkata and the Noakhali riots resulted in loss of lives.

“Bengal witnessed bloodshed and Partition, yet it did not allow its cultural identity and heritage to be destroyed,” he said.

The Prime Minister criticised the Congress, Left Front and TMC, alleging that the significance of Paschimbanga Divas had been downplayed.

“The same spirit with which West Bengal was saved should have been used to take it forward. But the opposite happened. Attempts were made to erase the history and significance of Paschimbanga Divas. Because of political agendas, history was whitewashed,” he said.

“The Congress, which was willing to abandon Bengal during Partition, later pursued appeasement politics,” he alleged.

He also said Mookerjee’s contribution was overlooked because of his association with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. “Efforts were made to eliminate the very ideology for which he had fought for Bengal,” he said.

Linking the historical narrative with current politics, Modi said this year’s observance was significant following the BJP’s electoral victory.

“This time, Paschimbanga Divas is even more special. The dreams envisioned for Bengal's future after Independence are now turning into reality,” he said.

He said the “double-engine government” had begun accelerating development and addressing gaps left by previous administrations.

“The double-engine government has started working at super-fast speed to fill the pits that were dug in Bengal first by the Left and then by the TMC. Decisions are being made at lightning speed, and stalled projects are moving forward,” he said.

Referring to development initiatives, he said investments in sectors such as railways, agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and rural development would boost the state’s economy.

“The PM alleged that welfare schemes were stalled for years because of political rivalry. “Today, by breaking those barriers, benefits are being delivered directly to people. There are no middlemen and no obstacles,” he said.

He said promises made during the election campaign, including implementation of Ayushman Bharat and Annapurna schemes, were being fulfilled, and that pending issues such as land transfer for border fencing were being addressed.