Kolkata, May 30 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led government of fostering riots, corruption and lawlessness, and asserted that the people in the eastern state have made up their mind to get rid of the "nirmam" (cruel) government. Addressing a public meeting in north Bengal's Alipurduar nearly a year before the crucial 2026 assembly polls in the state, PM Modi termed it a "very significant" moment for Bengal and called on people to decide its future. "Today, West Bengal is grappling with a series of crises. People don't want 'Nirmam Sarkar' (cruel government). They want change and good governance. The people have lost faith in the TMC government. There's an outcry across Bengal - 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar' (Outcry in Bengal is to oust cruel government)," he said. Modi listed five major crises "plaguing" the state under the Mamata Banerjee-led regime. "First is the widespread violence and lawlessness that are tearing apart the fabric of society. Second is the growing sense of insecurity among mothers and sisters, compounded by horrific crimes committed against them. Then comes the feeling of despair among the youth because of large-scale unemployment," the PM alleged. He said the fourth is the "corruption that destroyed the system and eroded public trust" in the state government, while "the fifth crisis stems from the self-serving politics of the ruling party, which is stripping the poor of their rightful entitlements." Modi cited the recent communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda as reminders of the TMC government's "cruelty and indifference" towards the ordinary citizens. "Look at what happened in Murshidabad and Malda - clear examples of the government's cruelty. In the name of appeasement, lawlessness was allowed to flourish..." the PM said. He was referring to clashes that broke out in parts of Murshidabad and Malda, both Muslim-majority districts, last month following protests over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Modi also targeted the ruling party over large-scale irregularities in teacher recruitment, accusing the TMC government of ruining the future of thousands of educators during its rule. "Here, the courts, in almost every matter, have to step in because nothing gets resolved otherwise," he said. His remarks came in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's April 3 order scrapping the appointment of 26,000 teachers and staffers in state-aided schools after finding the selection process in 2016 to be tainted. Modi also referred to India's successful military action against terror organisations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 under Operation Sindoor, in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of 'Sindoor Khela' (observed by Bengali women during Durga Puja), it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism Operation Sindoor," Modi said. He added, "On April 22, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam shook the nation. The pain and anger felt across West Bengal were deeply understood. I could feel your outrage. The terrorists dared to wipe off 'sindoor' from the foreheads of our sisters. But our brave soldiers made them realise the power of that sindoor'." "From this land of Bengal, I, on behalf of 140 crore Indians, declare that 'Operation Sindoor' is not over yet," Modi said. Senior Bengal BJP leaders Sukanta Majumdar and Suvendu Adhikari also addressed the event and targeted the TMC government and CM Banerjee. They also gave a call for 'Operation Bengal' in the manner of Operation Sindoor, to press for a political change in the 2026 assembly elections. Reacting to Modi' remarks, CM Banerjee accused the PM of attempting to gain political mileage out of Operation Sindoor. "What PM Modi said today is not only shocking but unfortunate... He and his party leaders have suggested 'Operation Bengal' like Operation Sindoor at a time when the entire opposition is representing the country on the world stage (to support the Centre's anti-terror stand)," she told reporters at the state secretariat. On PM's criticism of her government over communal violence, Banerjee said: "BJP is a jumla (false propaganda) party... Murshidabad and Malda was done by the BJP. It is the master in orchestrating riots..."...