PM: TMC Backs Tukre Tukre Gang for Threat To Cut Off Siliguri Corridor
PM says corridor is vital for security as he attacks TMC on appeasement and neglect
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused Trinamul Congress of supporting "Tukre Tukre Gang" for threatening to cut off the strategically important Siliguri Corridor that connects West Bengal with Sikkim, to snap the country's link with its north eastern region.
Mr Modi, who addressed a BJP poll campaign rally at Kawakhali in Siliguri, alleged, “A Tukre Tukre Gang exists in the country. It had threatened to cut off the Siliguri Corridor and talked about separating the North East from the country. TMC backs such people from streets to parliament for appeasement.”
He claimed, “This is the real face of TMC. To BJP, Siliguri Corridor is a corridor of national security and progress. We are putting our all efforts continuously to strengthen it. The Sevak-Rangpo railway project is a good example of this. Thus, Sikkim will be connected to Siliguri and the rest of the country.”
Mr Modi pointed out, “The work is progressing at a fast pace. It will boost Bengal-Sikkim connectivity, trade and tourism here and benefit the youth of Darjeeling.” He also blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's party for undertaking no development deliberately in North Bengal a day after leading a 15-km roadshow in the town.
“Nirmam Sarkar of TMC was holding a celebration when a heavy rain triggered a flash flood and affected people in North Bengal. TMC is an anti-North Bengal party, anti-tribal, anti-tea garden party. It is also against women and youth,” the PM said in his blistering attack.
He added, “Siliguri is the gateway of North Bengal. But TMC made no development in infrastructure, connectivity and industry here. You were deprived in all sectors. Syndicate ate the funds Centre had sent. Rs 6,000 crores were allocated for madrasa while no budget for North Bengal Development! This shows that the TMC government is only focused on appeasement politics for a particular community.”
That is why, the PM observed, “A call for change is reverberating everywhere.” He further argued that infiltration has caused a demographic change in some North Bengal districts and highlighted his party's promise of a crackdown on the illegal immigrants if voted to power this time.
“Kamal Khilao, Ghupetia Bhagao (Bloom Lotus, Drive out Infiltrators,” Mr Modi told the crowd. He then declared himself a BJP candidate in all the seats to compete with the TMC supremo who has already projected herself as the face of her party everywhere. “All of you are Modi for me. All these candidates are also Modi. So give a chance to Modi,” the PM said.
Though Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung and his deputy Roshan Giri also shared the dais with the PM at his rally, there was no word from Mr Modi for a permanent political solution on the Gorkhaland issue.
