Modi targets TMC’s ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’ plank, reiterates CAA citizenship for Matuas in Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 26 stepped up his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) while reiterating that members of the Matua and Namasudra communities would be granted citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Addressing a rally in Bongaon, a Matua-dominated region in North 24 Parganas, Modi said he “guarantees” citizenship to eligible members of the community under the CAA. The Matua and Namasudra communities, many of whom migrated from Bangladesh, have been central to the citizenship debate in West Bengal.

Targeting the Mamata Banerjee-led government, Modi said the TMC had moved away from its “Maa, Maati, Manush” slogan. He alleged deterioration in governance and law and order in the state, accusing the ruling party of failing to deliver on its core promises.

“This election in Bengal is nearing its final phase, and you must have noticed something. When the TMC came to power 15 years ago, it spoke about ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’. Today, they don’t even mention it. The reason is simple — the moment they do, their actions will be exposed. Their rule has made ‘maa’ suffer, handed ‘maati’ over to syndicates and infiltrators, and forced the ‘manush’ of Bengal to leave,” PM Modi said.

On youth and employment, Modi accused the state government of failing to create opportunities, alleging that young people in Bengal were being pushed in the wrong direction instead of being supported.

He also referred to voter turnout in the ongoing Assembly elections, describing it as an indication of public sentiment, and urged people to participate in large numbers in the remaining phases.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come as the CAA continues to remain a key political issue in West Bengal, particularly in constituencies with a significant Matua population.

The BJP has consistently foregrounded the law as part of its outreach to refugee communities, while the TMC has opposed its implementation.

West Bengal Assembly elections are being held in two phases, with polling for 152 constituencies conducted on April 23 and the remaining 142 seats scheduled for April 29. Votes will be counted on May 2.