Modi Intensifies TMC Criticism After High Bengal Poll Turnout

Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his campaign against West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday, declaring that the record voter turnout in the first phase of the state assembly elections signaled a decisive wave of change and the impending end of what he called the party's "maha jungle raj." Speaking at rallies in Panihati in the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency and Baruipur in the Jadavpur area, Modi portrayed the nearly 92 percent participation on Thursday across 152 constituencies in 16 districts as a public rejection of the incumbent government's alleged dictatorship, corruption, and syndicate rule.

Modi addressed enthusiastic crowds, framing the high turnout as voters reclaiming democracy after years of intimidation. "The wave of change that had been visible in Bengal for a long time, yesterday's first phase of voting has put its seal on it," he said. "The support shown in favor of the BJP has sounded the conch shell of its victory." He accused the Trinamool Congress of activating supporters overnight to disrupt the process, claiming the party was rattled by the enthusiasm, particularly among women and youth. "Yesterday's first phase of voting has declared...