The political landscape in Cooch Behar, a crucial district in North Bengal ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, was charged with strong opposing views as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies within close proximity to each other on Thursday.
Banerjee criticised the BJP, likening it to a snake and alleging that it cannot be trusted, while PM Modi addressed the contentious issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of diverting attention from corruption.
PM Modi defended the CAA, asserting that it guarantees citizenship to those who have faith in India and accused the opposition of spreading rumours and lies. He pledged to punish the corrupt and ensure justice for the poor, contrasting his approach with that of the opposition, which he accused of protecting corrupt individuals.
The politics of TMC, Congress and Left is based on lies, deceit and false propaganda. Addressing a massive @BJP4Bengal rally in Cooch Behar. https://t.co/15HtFpP27v
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2024
Addressing a crowd in Cooch Behar, Modi also referred to the Sandeshkhali issue, stating that while the Trinamool was protecting the culprits, the BJP is focused on empowering women and ensuring justice for the victims.
In her address, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the CAA, warning that registering under it would result in individuals being deemed as Bangladeshi and losing their basic rights. In Cooch Behar, she argued that the CAA is a precursor to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and vowed not to allow either in West Bengal.
Also Read: ‘Even if 1% is true, it is shameful’: Calcutta HC raps West Bengal over Sandeshkhali complaints
The BJP, aiming to win a significant number of Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, particularly in North Bengal, has nominated Nisith Pramanik as its candidate from Cooch Behar. Mamata Banerjee criticized Pramanik, alleging that he was expelled from the Trinamool and now serves as a minister in the BJP despite facing several cases.
The political tension in Cooch Behar reflects the high stakes involved in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, in which both the BJP and the Trinamool are vying for electoral dominance.
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