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regular-article-logo Monday, 06 May 2024

PM Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee duel over Citizenship Amendment Act at rallies

Modi said the INDIA bloc was disseminating wrong information among people about the CAA

Avijit Sinha, Subhasish Chaudhuri Calcutta, Siliguri Published 05.04.24, 09:25 AM
Narendra Modi (left), Mamata Banerjee (right)

Narendra Modi (left), Mamata Banerjee (right) File picture

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Centre was determined to implement the CAA in Bengal, while Mamata Banerjee vowed that she wouldn’t allow its rollout in the state.

Speaking on the Raasmela Ground in Cooch Behar, Modi said the INDIA bloc was disseminating wrong information among people about the CAA.

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“We have introduced the CAA and will give citizenship to all such residents, including Matuas, who need it. It is ‘Modi ki guarantee’ to provide citizenship to all those who have faith in Mother India. Trinamul and the Left are intimidating people and might resort to undemocratic means to stop the implementation of the CAA,” said the Prime Minister.

“You have seen my work in the past 10 years. You can rely on me,” he added.

Mamata, who spoke at two rallies in Mathabhanga of Cooch Behar and Malbazar of Jalpaiguri, warned about the consequences of applying for citizenship using the provisions of the CAA.

“After the CAA, the BJP will introduce the NRC and brand people living in India for years as infiltrators.... You would be put in detention camps like what they had done in Assam. We will not let it happen in Bengal,” said the chief minister.

She said the CAA would rob the citizens of their rightful claim for social welfare schemes. “If you apply for citizenship under the provisions of the CAA, you will not get benefits like Lakshmir Bhandar (monthly assistance scheme to women) and Kanyashree (financial assistance to students). You should give it a second thought as to whether you will accept the CAA.”

Amid the war of words between Mamata and Modi on CAA, Bongaon MP and Matua leader Shantanu Thakur said they would not allow Trinamul supporters to take citizenship under CAA.

Speaking at a religious congregation on Wednesday night at Shimulia near Bongaon, he said: “Don’t allow people who are with Trinamul to take citizenship. We will not grant citizenship to any of them.”

Additional reporting by our Alipurduar and Cooch Behar correspondents

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