“I have 36 cases against me, why no case against Mamata by Modi?” asks Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a wide-ranging political attack during his campaign in West Bengal ahead of the second phase of voting, targeting both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while urging voters to strengthen the Congress party in the state. He said, “Appeal for votes! Mamata ji’s party will not be able to defeat Modiji in the country. Modiji knows it. He knows that the real threat to him is Congress. Make Congress win. We want Bengal to guide the country once again. We want it to eliminate unemployment in the state. Bring a Congress government here.”

He further questioned political accountability and legal scrutiny, saying, “Why doesn’t Modi file cases against Mamata? Congress is the one fighting against BJP. My home has been taken away. I am out on bail. My membership of Parliament has been taken away. I have 36 cases against me. Even when I go to Jharkhand, Maharashtra, or Bihar, I have to attend court hearings every 10–15 days. How many cases has Modi filed against Mamata? How many hours has Mamata been interrogated? I was interrogated for 55 hours continuously for five days. Mamata is never targeted. Why? Because she does not directly fight BJP. Only Congress fights on principles. 24 hours Modi attacks Congress, Rahul, and Kharge. He only criticizes Mamata during elections. After elections, he won’t mention her. Because he knows that in India, the only force that fights BJP and RSS is Congress. Strengthen Congress here. Vote for us. Send us to the Assembly.”

Raising issues of governance and women’s safety, he said, “Road is being built! When talking about atrocities on women, you have to talk about BJP leaders. Their MPs and MLAs commit atrocities against women. In Bengal, the RG Kar rape and murder incident happened. Those responsible were protected by the government. Mamata is creating a path for BJP in Bengal. If Mamata had worked properly, worked for the state, avoided corruption, and taken proper action on RG Kar, BJP wouldn’t have had a chance here.”

He also highlighted unemployment and industrial decline, saying, “Unemployment allowance application! In 2021, Mamata ji promised to give jobs to 5 lakh people. Did you get jobs? Some people did, but many did not. 84 lakh unemployed youths have applied for unemployment allowance. This is the real picture of Bengal now. You were at the forefront in the fight against the British. You were ahead in industry. But in recent years, Mamata ji has done nothing for you.”

Further intensifying his attack, he alleged corruption and economic issues, saying, “They beat our workers! Modiji is corrupt, and Mamata is no less. TMC was involved in Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund scams. There was a ₹19,000 crore Saradha scam involving TMC. They have also done coal scams. They collect extortion money across the state. Like BJP spreads violence elsewhere, here TMC goons do the same against Congress. They beat our workers.” He added, “Also targeting the Left: Modi does nothing for the public. He works for a few billionaires. Only Modi and a few BJP leaders benefit. Here also, Mamata is doing the same. Industry has been destroyed. Employment has stopped. To get a job in Bengal, you need to be related to a TMC leader. Otherwise, you won’t get work. Earlier there was Hindustan Motors producing Ambassador cars. Bengal used to be an industrial hub. First the Left, then Mamata destroyed it.”

He concluded with sharp allegations on national and international issues, saying, “Attack on Modi-Mamata: Everyone keeps calling Modi a patriot, but his main job is selling the country. His government has done nothing for the poor in 10–12 years. Everything has been done for billionaires. Earlier there was jute industry here. Factories existed. Who brought them? Congress? Today’s reality is that whether Modi or Mamata , they don’t care about jobs. Modi did demonetisation and GST, destroying small industries. Whatever Modi is doing in India, Mamata is doing in Bengal.” He further said, “Selling the country: Trump’s second weapon is Adani. Narendra Modi is selling the entire country to Adani. Airports, ports, infrastructure, cement, solar projects—all are being sold. The company’s real name is ‘Modani’. Trump has financial documents of it. That’s why Modi obeys Trump. Whatever Trump says, Modi does. If told to jump, he jumps. If told to go to Israel, he reaches in 2 minutes.” He also alleged, “Two weapons: The US makes agreements with Modi. Through this, agriculture, energy, and MSME sectors are being sold. All national data is being given to America. Donald Trump has two weapons. One is the Epstein files. In those files, Modi’s character and image are exposed. The day Trump opens those files, Modi will be finished.”

He concluded by saying, “He ran away! Two ideologies are fighting in India—Congress with Constitution and unity, and BJP-RSS with hatred and arrogance. Wherever Modi goes, he spreads violence and division. We did Bharat Jodo Yatra, with a message of love, not hatred. Trump controls Modi. When I spoke a few words about him in Parliament, he ran away in fear.” Earlier, he also referred to ongoing political campaigning in the state, noting his rallies in Srerampore, Shahid Minar, and Metiaburuz, while contrasting Congress’s campaign with BJP and TMC’s politics ahead of polling.