Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a series of rallies in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) issued what it described as an “8-point reality check”.TMC leader Derek O’Brien said the document fact-checked and countered eight key claims made by the Prime Minister, responding to them in detail and challenging the BJP’s narrative.Countering the BJP’s release of a “white paper on corruption,” O’Brien said that nine out of 10 Opposition leaders who joined the BJP were given reprieve, describing the party as a “washing machine” for tainted politicians.Responding to the Prime Minister’s allegation that 15 years of TMC rule had only brought fear, the party claimed it had lifted two crore people out of poverty and reduced unemployment by 40 per cent. It added that 94 social welfare schemes had been implemented in the state.On governance in West Bengal, O’Brien said that over 10 crore public services had been delivered directly to citizens’ doorsteps. He added that services had been provided through more than 3,500 Bangla Sahayata Kendras, while two crore women had benefited from the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The Kanyashree scheme, which has supported one crore girls, has also been recognised by the United Nations.Responding to the Prime Minister’s claim that farmers in Bengal would receive Rs 9,000 under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, the Rajya Sabha MP said that despite a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommending an increase in the amount from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 in 2024, the Centre had not implemented it. He added that under the TMC’s Krishak Bandhu (Natun) scheme, farmers receive Rs 10,000.On the BJP’s promise of safety and security for women in Bengal, O’Brien alleged that the highest rate of crimes against women was in Delhi, where the police come under the Union Home Ministry. He also accused the BJP of shielding an MP accused of molesting women wrestlers and of granting relief to those convicted in the Bilkis Bano case.The TMC also dismissed the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, claiming that only one in five applicants had successfully received the loan sanctions. On the Prime Minister’s allegation that the TMC government had stalled the Ayushman Bharat scheme, O’Brien said that the state’s Swasthya Sathi scheme was more effective, as the entire Rs 5 lakh coverage was funded by the state government.On the introduction of the CAA in Bengal to benefit the Matua community, the TMC said the law would affect all communities, as it would eventually be followed by the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which could raise concerns over citizenship.