Kolkata:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her turf saying 'Inka jaana tae hai'. "I used to think that Didi who has herself suffered a lot during Left regime will not walk on the same path, but I was surprised that she adopted the same tactics. You can take this from me in writing 'Inka jaana tae hai'," he said apparently referring to clashes between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers ahead of his rally.
PM Narendra Modi in Durgapur, West Bengal: I used to think that Didi who has herself suffered a lot during Left regime will not walk on the same path, but I was surprised that she adopted the same tactics. You can take this from me in writing 'Inka jaana tae hai' pic.twitter.com/CHZXQu7B6z
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019
He also accused the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal of killing the aspirations of the middle-class people in the state.
 "The TMC is killing people's aspirations but the Centre will fulfil their (people's) dreams," PM Modi said.
The prime minister also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution.
Calling yesterday's Budget a "historic step" for the welfare of farmers, the working and middle class, he said these sections were neglected for years after Independence.
"We have announced measures in our budget that will benefit 12 crore small farmers, 30-40 crore workmen, and three crore middle-class people," he said.
PM Modi also apologised for the stampede-like situation at Thakurnagar rally in North 24 Parganas. Several women and children were injured. The incident happened when hundreds of supporters who were standing outside the venue tried to barge into the inner ring of the rally ground.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm during my rally in Thakurnagar, and I think the ground was filled twice its capacity. I would like to apologise for the discomfort the people went through; Visuals of those injured during the rally,†PM Modi said at Durgapur rally.
PM Modi in Durgapur,West Bengal: There was a lot of enthusiasm during my rally in Thakurnagar, and I think the ground was filled twice its capacity,I would like to apologise for the discomfort the people went through; Visuals of those injured during the rally (Pic 2&3)Â pic.twitter.com/SlhflpfeDj
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019
Earlier, PM Modi was seen trying to pacify the crowd by asking them to stay put in their places and stop from making efforts to come on the front side of the inner ring at Thakurnagar rally. However, his pleas went unheard as supporters started throwing chairs inside the no-man zone in front of the stage to make space for others to stand in the inner ring, which was earmarked for women supporters.
Following the commotion, the prime minister abruptly cut short his speech, saying he has another rally to attend and decided to leave the location. Several women and children had fainted during the stampede-like situation and were also rushed to the hospital for primary treatment, a police official said.
The incident brought back memories of PM Modi's July 16 rally last year at West Midnapore district when a make-shift stage collapsed leading to injuries to several persons.
