PM Narendra Modi begins poll campaign in Bengal, praises citizenship bill

Kolkata : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday kick-started a poll campaign in West Bengal, praising Citizenship Bill and urging the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government to support it in Rajya Sabha.

His speech lasted for less than 14 minutes over alleged stampede in the crowd. According to media reports, several people, including women, were injured in the incident.

"After Independence, many people stayed where they were. But after being tortured, they left and came back to India. They had to as Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians have nowhere else to go but India. And that's why we are bringing the citizenship law. I urge the Trinamool to support it in parliament. My brothers and sisters here need it," the PM said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned about measures announced for the farmers in the interim budget yesterday. He said, "farmers with up to five acres of land will be provided Rs. 6,000 assistance in three equal instalments directly in their bank accounts."

The rallies come just weeks after Mamata Banerjee organized a mega opposition rally in the state, which was attended by leaders of 24 parties from across the country calling for the BJP-headed government at the Centre to be ousted.