Reaching out to farmers, PM Modi targets Mamata Banerjee, TMC rebuts charge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to farmers protesting against the Centre's new farm laws. In a video address, the PM accused Opposition leaders of misguiding farmers. "Only when farmers become self-reliant will India become self-reliant (aatmanirbhar)," the PM said in his address.

A spokesperson for the BJP, Priyanka Tibrewal reiterated the PM's statement accusing West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of depriving farmers in the state of benefits of central government schemes. A political analyst who supports Trinamool Congress' rebuttal, Manojit Mandal termed the PM's address as a "poll speech" ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.