SILIGURI, April 18: Drawing a sharp comparison between Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday alleged that the “lawlessness” that prevailed in his state before 2017 has, over the past 15 years, taken root in West Bengal.
Addressing an election rally at Mathabhanga in support of BJP candidates, including former union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik, Adityanath said, “This is the final opportunity. At this decisive moment, West Bengal must move towards forming a double-engine government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Launching a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress, he alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government had “handed over the soil of Bengal to infiltrators” and was pursuing a policy of appeasement. He further claimed that the state was witnessing widespread disorder, with people facing hardship due to alleged excesses by ruling party workers.
Highlighting what he described as a stark contrast, Adityanath asserted that since 2017, Uttar Pradesh has seen “no riots, no curfews,” with a marked improvement in law and order. He cited measures taken by his government, including action against organised crime and the redistribution of land previously under the control of mafias, while maintaining that public safety and administrative control had been significantly strengthened. He also referred to steps taken on issues such as cow protection and the regulation of noise levels from religious places.
Calling the 2026 Assembly elections a “decisive moment,” he urged voters to back a “double-engine government” in West Bengal to ensure stability and development.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s campaign in North Bengal has gathered pace, with senior leaders from the Centre and various states actively canvassing across districts, including Siliguri.
At a separate programme, union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said there is a growing realisation among people regarding the current situation in West Bengal. “Those who believe in tolerance and balance must come together to show the right direction so that West Bengal does not emerge as a centre of discord vis- -vis the larger national interest,” he said.
The campaign is set to intensify further with BJP national president J. P. Nadda scheduled to visit Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, and adjoining Assembly constituencies from Sunday, as the party sharpens its outreach ahead of the Assembly polls.
(UNI)
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