Modi accuses Mamata of pursuing appeasement, vote-bank politics

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of pursuing "appeasement and vote-bank politics" which he said was responsible for infiltration in the state.

"The single-most important reason for infiltration is appeasement and vote-bank politics being pursued by Didi's government," he said while addressing an assembly election rally in Purulia in Jangalmahal region of West Bengal.

Modi alleged Trinamool Congress never considered Dalits or adivasis as its own, and these sections were the worst victims of 'Tolabaji' culture or extortion by the state's ruling party.

He also accused Mamata government of patronising underground Maoist rebels.

He said that on May 2, the day the votes for assembly elections will be counted, Mamata Banerjee's game will be over and development will start.

Vote-bank, in the political discourse of India, is a term referring to a loyal bloc of voters from a single community, who consistently back a certain candidate or political formation in democratic elections.