Modi addresses Paschimbanga Divas
KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a programme on Saturday to mark West Bengal's statehood day, 'Paschimbanga Divas,' at an event held in Kolkata. The address took place on June 20, 2026.
Claims regarding historical conspiracy
During the speech, Modi asserted that there had been a conspiracy to merge Bengal with Pakistan. He noted that Shyama Prasad Mukhopadhyay protested against this move at the time.
Comments on electoral change
The Prime Minister stated that West Bengal had "broken free from its shackles" following an assembly election verdict and the subsequent swearing-in of a new government. He described a feeling of "new freshness in the air." Modi claimed it was visible across the state how one vote could bring about change after the electoral shift.
Border fencing allegations
The Prime Minister accused the previous Trinamool Congress government of halting land transfers to the Border Security Force (BSF) for border fencing along the India-Bangladesh frontier. He stated that the process of transferring land had restarted after the BJP came to power in the state.
Accusations against opposition
Modi alleged that this restart was due to opposition "appeasement politics." He claimed that such policies made West Bengal a haven for illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. The article title notes that Modi spearheaded attacks on Congress, Left and Trinamool Congress.