“TMC played with the lives of the youths…”: PM Modi Lambasts TMC Government Over Corruption Allegations; TMC Hits Back with a “Fact-Check”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for its alleged involvement in a school jobs scam, asserting that approximately 26,000 youths in the state lost their livelihoods due to the party's corruption. Speaking at a public gathering in Malda town, campaigning for BJP Lok Sabha candidates Khagen Murmu and Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhary, PM Modi accused the TMC of jeopardizing the lives of Bengal's youth. The ruling Trinamool Congress government was quick to hit back, with Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien “fact-checking” the Prime Minister’s claims.

"TMC played with the lives of the youths in Bengal. About 26,000 people lost their livelihoods due to the massive recruitment scam. Those who took loans and gave them to the TMC are on the roads now,” said the Prime Minister. PM Modi referenced the recent Calcutta High Court ruling, which ordered the cancellation of appointments of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff hired through the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools. The court also mandated that some of these recruits return their received salaries along with 12 percent per annum interest.

Highlighting the alleged “scams” under the TMC government, PM Modi asserted that the people of Bengal are suffering due to its corruption. "There was a time when Bengal used to be an example in the country in terms of social, economic and cultural development. First, the Left Front, then the TMC stalled Bengal’s development. Under the TMC rule, scams worth rupees thousands of crores take place in Bengal. From Sarada chit fund, Rose Valley chit fund to recruitment and ration scams, the TMC indulged in corruption everywhere. Nothing works in Bengal without cut and commission,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi criticized the TMC for allegedly misappropriating central funds meant for the state's development and obstructing the implementation of central schemes. He accused the TMC of neglecting the welfare of the people and betraying the trust of women. Referring to the triple talaq bill and incidents of violence against women in Malda, PM Modi accused the TMC of remaining silent and protecting the perpetrators. “TMC betrayed the trust of the women. When the BJP government introduced the triple talaq bill, the TMC opposed the move. TMC remained silent when atrocities on women took place in Malda. It protected the ones who were responsible for carrying out atrocities on women in Sandeshkhali,” alleged the Prime Minister.

Regarding the alliance between the TMC and “INDI” parties, PM Modi claimed that they would go to any extent to pursue their appeasement politics. He criticized their stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), emphasizing that the law aims to grant citizenship, not revoke it. PM Modi also took aim at the Congress party, condemning Sam Pitroda's remarks on inheritance tax and Rahul Gandhi's statement on wealth redistribution. He accused the Congress of planning to impose inheritance tax to exploit people both during their lifetime and after death, alleging that the party seeks to accumulate wealth through higher taxes.

Taking to social media platform “X”, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien took a dig at the Prime Minister, refuting the claims of the Prime Minister and “fact-checked” him. “One of the easiest things to do! FACT CHECK a speech made by PM @narendramodi Today, here is PART 2. His 6 false claims. My 6 fact checks,” posted O’Brien.

“BJP has withheld funds worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore under various heads for Bengal. Not paid wages to 59 lakh MNREGA workers for two years. Not released funds for 11 lakh Awas Yojana
Beneficiaries,” said the TMC Rajya Sabha MP rebutting the PM Modi’s claim of “BJP is working for development of Bengal.”

Speaking on the contentious Sandeshkhali issue, Derek O’Brien, countering the Prime Minister’s claim that “in Sandeshkhali, there were such serious crimes against women”, said, “West Bengal Police arrested the accused in 72 hours. TMC expelled him for 6 years. BJP took no action against a BJP MP who sexually assaulted champion women wrestlers. Freed Bilkis Bano's rapists. Horrific incidents of Hathras, Unnao, in BJP ruled Uttar Pradesh.”

The TMC Rajya Sabha MP also “fact-checked” the claims of “BJP Government is giving employment to youth”, and, “TMC says CAA will be removed. It is a law to give citizenship and not take citizenship” amongst others.

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