TARAPITH: BJP national president J P Nadda on Tuesday slammed the TMC for dividing communities by branding people as insiders and outsiders, and said the rich culture of West Bengal is under threat in Mamata Banerjee's rule.
Nadda, while flagging off the second phase of the 'Parivartan Yatra' from Tarapith in Birbhum district, alleged that the state government "criminalised politics, institutionalised corruption and politicised the police".
The BJP chief also said the "cut money government" will be defeated by people in the upcoming assembly elections.
"Under Mamata Banerjee's rule, the rich culture and heritage of West Bengal are under threat. Only the BJP can protect these. The insider-outsider culture is not the real culture of Bengal.
"The Trinamool Congress is pitting people against one another by branding them as outsiders. This is shameful. It is not the culture of the land of Swami Vivekananda, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore," Nadda said.
The TMC's slogan of 'Maa, Mati, Manush' (mother, land and people) has been reduced to "dictatorship, tolabaji (extortion) and appeasement", he said, adding, the BJP would bring the "asol paribartan" (real change) in Bengal.
Lashing out at "dynasty politics" in the TMC, Nadda criticised its MP Abhihsek Banerjee for attacking newly- inducted BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari at a rally in Midnapore.
"In politics, you can have differences and that has to be fought politically. It doesn't mean you will call names. Those who have inherited power can only behave in this way," the senior BJP leader said.
"The type of adjectives she used against me recently, the kind of outsider comments made by her and others in the party against us, shows Mamata ji is not fit to protect the legacy of Bengal, its inclusiveness known for centuries," he said.
Nadda also said Banerjee has "problems" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders coming to Bengal.
"A few days back, the prime minister came to Haldia and inaugurated a project. Mamata ji, PM will come and bring development projects to Bengal. The central government wants such projects in Bengal. It is your government which is creating hurdles... Mamata ji doesn't want development. The TMC is only interested in politics," he said.
The BJP president alleged that only the ruling TMC leaders have benefited under Banerjee, and even funds meant for relief in the aftermath of cyclone Amphan, were misappropriated by them.
"Central funds were usurped by TMC leaders. Foodgrains and even tarpaulin sheets were stolen. When the high court asked you to get the relief accounts audited by the CAG, you moved the Supreme Court against the order. Instead of standing for honesty and transparency, you sought to shield corruption," Nadda said.
Earlier in the day after arriving here, he offered puja at the famous Tarapith temple. Nadda is set to flag off the third 'Parivartan Yatra' from Jhargram later in the day.
Continuing his attack against Banerjee, he said the people of Bengal have made up their mind to elect a BJP government in the assembly polls.
"The BJP will bring the change towards development, prosperity and restoration of demoracy. In the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government, a decision will be taken to implement all central schemes in the state," he asserted.
"After we come to power in Bengal, the farmers of the state would get the due amount for the last two years under the PM Kisan Scheme. Under the scheme, the farmers are getting Rs 6,000 every year," Nadda added.
He had flagged off the first of the five-phased yatra in Bengal from Nabadwip in Nadia district on February 6.