Narendra Modi jealous of Bengal, says Mamata Banerjee

Mamata said Modi though became the PM, he had failed to win people’s hearts. He has not been able to become the leader of the nation.

She said Narendra Modi has not done any work in the past five years and has no achievements to show, so he is trying to divide people into religious lines, hoping that would garner him votes.

Addressing a public meeting here in Howrah district, which is part of the Howrah Lok Sabha constituency, Mamata said: “Modi says Bengal has refused to become a part of Ayushman Bharat. Yes, we have opted out. We pay 40 per cent of the cost and he alone takes the credit! We have a better scheme called Swasthya Sathi."

The chief minister said: "Today, the Rajasthan government has sent us a letter seeking technical help to implement our health insurance scheme in their state."

She said, "The budget for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme is Rs 100 crore, for the entire country. In Bengal alone, we have spent nearly Rs 8,000 crore for Kanyashree scheme. They cannot even copy our schemes properly. They only spend money on marketing."

“Lakhs and lakhs of people hit streets during festivals. And they have the audacity to tell lies that Durga Puja is not celebrated in Bengal. We even started the Durga Puja Carnival. When we gave financial assistance to clubs who organise Durga Puja, BJP went to court. They arranged for IT notices to 40 Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata,” Mamata said.

She said: "Look at the amount of money spent by the BJP for election campaigning. In future, democracy will be in danger if this trend continues."

“BJP is earning crores of rupees and also spending extensively. We do not have money power like them,” the TMC supremo said. "They are spending crores on every public meeting. They have hired agencies to even put up flags and banners. Agencies have been hired to bring crowds to Modi’s rallies in exchange for money. People are being offered money and freebies like bikes."