In a high-decibel virtual address from Kolkata airport on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), calling for an end to what he described as the “Maha Jungle Raj” in West Bengal.
The Prime Minister was scheduled to land in Taherpur, Nadia, to inaugurate National Highway projects worth ₹3,200 crore and address the Matua community. However, dense fog prevented his helicopter from landing, forcing him to deliver his speech via telephone before departing for Assam.
‘Banchte Chai, BJP Tai’: Modi’s Pitch for 2026
Drawing a parallel with the recent NDA victory in Bihar, PM Modi asserted that West Bengal is now ready for a similar transition.
- The Bihar Comparison: “Bihar has rejected ‘jungle raaj’ in one voice. Now, we must rid Bengal of this ‘Maha Jungle Raj’,” the PM stated.
- Double-Engine Growth: He argued that while states like Tripura are developing rapidly under BJP rule, Bengal is being destroyed by “cuts and commissions.”
- The Matua Connection: Addressing the Matua community—a key electoral block—he accused the TMC of using the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to protect “infiltrators” while neglecting genuine citizens.
Tragedy Strikes: 4 BJP Supporters Killed
The political firestorm was overshadowed by a grim accident. Four BJP supporters from Murshidabad, identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Muktipada Sutradhar (55), Gopinath Das (35), and Bhairab Ghosh (47), were killed by the Krishnanagar–Sealdah Local near Taherpur station.
The victims had reportedly stepped out of their bus to answer nature’s call near the tracks when they were hit. PM Modi began his speech by condoling the deaths, but the TMC was quick to launch a blistering counter-attack.
TMC Hits Back: ‘Rally on Dead Bodies’
TMC MP Mahua Moitra and other party leaders accused the BJP of prioritizing political vanity over human life.
- Mahua Moitra’s Charge: Taking to X, she wrote, “Terrible tragedy hushed up at the altar of Modi’s ego… 4 were killed by a local train… BJP ignored, blacked out, and went ahead with the rally.”
- The Funding Dispute: The TMC also challenged the PM’s claim that there is “no dearth of funds,” accusing the Centre of an economic blockade and withholding ₹2 lakh crore in rightful dues, including MGNREGA wages.
The SIR Controversy
The visit comes amidst massive panic over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which has seen over 58 lakh names deleted from the draft rolls in Bengal. While the BJP calls it a “sanitization” of the list, the TMC alleges it is a “covert NRC” designed to disenfranchise legitimate voters.