NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of surrendering to “conspiratorial forces” during the Partition era, claiming that efforts had once been made to separate the whole of Bengal from India and merge it with Pakistan.

PM Modi attended Paschimbanga Divas (West Bengal Day) celebrations at Tarakeswar in Hooghly district.The Prime Minister said Bengal had endured immense hardship during the Partition but had preserved its identity despite attempts to divide“Congress bowed before conspiratorial forces when efforts were being made to make whole of Bengal part of Pakistan,” PM Modi said, as quoted by PTI.Addressing the gathering, PM Modi linked the observance of West Bengal Day with the state's historical struggle during Partition.

Under the latest instalment, more than Rs 18,880 crore will be transferred directly to over 9.44 crore farmers across the country.

The Prime Minister said the state was witnessing a renewed sense of confidence and pride. “There is now a new freshness in the air of West Bengal. A new fragrance is wafting from every particle here; it feels as if Bengal has now broken free from its shackles,” he said. “As if the restoration of Bengal’s pride has begun.

Today's event is a witness; the launch of these projects is a testament that our Bengal has set to work building its new future.

”West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, who welcomed the Prime Minister at the event, also paid tribute to Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee and announced plans to install a 125-foot statue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder in Kolkata as part of his birth anniversary commemorations.