New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in West Bengal's Durgapur ahead Lok Sabha election. He addressed two rallies in the state, first at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas, and the second at Durgapur.
PM Modi is expected to launch a nearly 300-km-long electrified section of the railways. He will also inaugurate a 20-km-long Hijli-Narayangarh line.
PM Modi will also launch the electrification of the 294-km-long Andal-Sainthia-Pakur-Malda and the Khana-Sainthia sections. This will ease the transportation of coal, stone chips and ballast to north and northeast India in a seamless manner, a statement said.
The venues of both the rallies have political significance. Thakurnagar, which is one of the venues, is the hub of the sizeable Matua community, who originally hail from erstwhile East Pakistan and began migrating to West Bengal in the beginning of the 1950s mostly due to religious persecution. The rally venue is near the house of Matua matriarch Binapani Debi.
The Durgapur rally of the PM Modi will be part of BJP's 'Ganatantra Bachao' (save democracry) programme in the state. The industrial hub of Durgapur is near the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency held by union minister Babul Supriyo.
Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) had on January 19 organised a mega opposition rally which was attended by leaders of 24 parties from across the country, including the Congress.
Here are the Highlights on PM Modi's visit to West Bengal:
Feb 02, 2019 15:01 (IST)
We have come out with a new, never-done-before scheme called the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Something that is a permanent yojana to benefit farmers. It has never been done by any party in the history of India. The main part about this yojana is that it provides a token aid to farmers, not as a one-off, but an ongoing, continuous basis, for all time to come.
Feb 02, 2019 14:46 (IST)
Everywhere I go, I see such large crowds, so much support... I thank you all. I can see that Bengal wants a 'parivartan' (change)... you all look determined to throw out Mamata Banerjee. Ms Banerjee has strangled democracy in Bengal.
Feb 02, 2019 14:45 (IST)
PM Narendra Modi reaches Durgapur.
Feb 02, 2019 12:44 (IST)
I see a lot of you not being able to enter this massive rally ground which is packed to capacity. I urge you all to remain where you are. I thank you all for coming here in support. After seeing the sight here, I am confident that Bengal wants a change for progress, says PM Modi.
Feb 02, 2019 12:43 (IST)
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for having come here in such large numbers to bless me and show your support for the BJP. Thakur Nagar has played a very important part in Bengal's social history. Thakur Nagar has contributed immensely... I feel proud to be here with you all. For many decades after independence, villages were ignored by successive governments. But no longer. No longer can a 'New India' function this way. In fact, India's progress will have to be villages-based.
Feb 02, 2019 12:39 (IST)
PM Narendra Modi began addressing a public meeting in Bengal's Thakurnagar.
Feb 02, 2019 11:54 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Kolkata.