TMC MP Azad attacks PM Modi in video message

Kirti Jha Azad, Member of Parliament for the Burdwan–Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency and former cricketer, has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of spreading falsehood during his speech in Durgapur yesterday.

The MP issued a video message today, lasting four-and-a-half minutes, to voice his criticism.

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In the video message, Azad, a TMC MP, claimed that Prime Minister Modi delivered a 40-minute speech in Durgapur, filled entirely with lies and failed to address any of the pressing concerns related to industrial revival.

“I have raised numerous issues in the Lok Sabha over the past few months regarding industrial development and the revival of Central Public Sector Undertakings. Yet, the Prime Minister said nothing about his government’s plans for these industries. He spoke at length about past and present investments in West Bengal, but was silent on any future strategies—despite people eagerly expecting some positive announcements,” said Azad.

He went on to allege that the Prime Minister did not mention crucial industrial units such as the Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation Limited (HFCL) factory in Durgapur, the closed MAMC and BOGL factories, or the expansion of the Durgapur steel plants—facilities that were once under the central government.

Although Kirti Azad was formally invited to the official event in Durgapur—where the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects in the rail, oil and gas, and power sectors in South Bengal—he chose not to attend.

“The PM spoke about the GAIL gas pipeline project, but failed to acknowledge the state government’s role in providing land and full support to the central PSU. Even Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who was present, made no mention of the West Bengal government’s proactive cooperation,” Azad said.

He further criticised the BJP, stating that ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, the party promised a range of freebies and job opportunities to unseat the AAP government. “Yet, just days after forming the government, the homes of poor residents were demolished by bulldozers,” he claimed.

“Our Prime Minister speaks only lies, and everyone is aware of this. He spoke about infiltration from Bangladesh, but the BSF—which falls under the ministry of home affairs, led by Amit Shah, is responsible for border security. Everyone knows this. Why blame the state government for such infiltration?” Azad questioned.

“You are targeting every Bengali-speaking migrant worker and detaining them. In Jammu and Kashmir, where the Lieutenant Governor is from the BJP, how are terrorists managing to infiltrate through the Pakistan border into places like Pahalgam? Again, you blame the TMC government for infiltration from Bangladesh,” he added.

Azad questioned why infiltration occurs despite CRPF and BSF being under Amit Shah’s ministry, the military under Rajnath Singh, and the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha being a BJP representative.

“The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has repeatedly said he lacks the authority to stop these incidents. India has always maintained that no third party will mediate India–Pakistan relations, yet during your tenure, US President Donald Trump intervened,” Azad pointed out.

“Rather than speaking about infiltration, you should have explained why you have withheld funds under the Banglar Bari scheme and MNREGA. I have already raised these questions, yet you’ve provided no answers about releasing the funds,” said the MP.

He also criticised the Prime Minister’s comments on unemployment in West Bengal. “If factories like DSP, MAMC, BOGL, and HFCL are not operational, how can jobs be created for the youth? Instead of revival, the Centre is privatising FSNL,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Azad predicted a major political shift: “Next year, the BJP will be wiped out in West Bengal. The people of this state have seen through your lies.”