Entering last legs of the over one and a half months criss-cross hectic campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he had heard that the term "love jihad" was coined by the people of Jharkhand and that efforts were made in one district of the State to change the weekly holiday from Sunday, which was connected to the Christian community, to Friday. In neighbouring West Bengal in Barasat, Modi flayed the TMC Government for "snatching the rights of OBC youths" to facilitate its appeasement politics and "vote jihad".

Addressing a rally at Dumka, Modi claimed that the tribal population was decreasing in the Santhal Parganas because of infiltration and accused the JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand of "patronising" infiltrators, who he said were grabbing land and putting women at risk.

"A friend was telling me that the term 'love jihad' emanated from Jharkhand. The people of Jharkhand have coined this term," he said. Accusing the JMM of indulging in "communal and appeasement politics", he said that despite Sunday being a holiday since the British era, in one Jharkhand district, it was changed to Friday.

"Sunday is not linked to Hindus but to the Christian community. It has been a holiday since 200-300 years. In one district, they changed the holiday from Sunday to Tuesday. First, they fought with Hindus, now they are fighting with Christians. What is going on?" Modi asked. "INDI Alliance's politics is based on the formula of communal appeasement, patronising separatists and protecting terrorists... Those who oppose it face the allegation of dividing Hindus and Muslims," he said.

The PM said the Opposition INDIA Bloc was providing reservations on the basis of religion. "It will not be tolerated. Till Modi is alive, reservations cannot be provided for 'vote jihad'," he said.

Modi claimed that when he "unmasked" the "communal and anti-tribal" veil of the Opposition, he was accused of dividing Hindus and Muslims. PM was campaigning for BJP's Dumka candidate Sita Soren, Rajmahal nominee Tala Marandi and Godda MP Nishikant Dubey. The elections in these constituencies will be held on June 1.

Addressing an election rally in Barasat, Modi, without naming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, criticised her for questioning the judges of the Calcutta High Court and wondered if the TMC would now "let loose its goons on judges" following unfavourable rulings.

"The court has exposed the treachery of the Trinamool Congress with the OBCs. The party snatched the rights of OBC youths to support its appeasement politics and 'vote jihad'. The TMC has betrayed the OBCs of West Bengal," he asserted.

The Calcutta High Court had last week struck down the OBC status of several classes in West Bengal granted since 2010, finding such reservations to vacancies in services and posts in the state illegal. Mamata has said she will "not accept" the ruling, dubbing it as a verdict passed under the influence of the BJP.

Reaffirming his commitment to combat corruption, the PM said after his resolve of "na khaunga, na khane dunga" (I will neither accept bribes nor allow others to do so), his new guarantee is "jisne khaya hain usey bahar nikalunga" (those who have taken bribes will be taken to task).

The Prime Minister also took umbrage at Mamata's recent comments against a few monks of the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha and alleged these socio-religious organisations were being threatened to appease the TMC's vote bank.

The PM also slammed the TMC for opposing the CAA in Bengal due to its vote bank politics.   "Due to the politics of appeasement, the TMC is spreading canards against the CAA. But, today the whole country is witness to hundreds of refugees getting citizenship. Nothing has been taken away from anyone; rather, they have been respected as sons and daughters of mother India," he said.

Addressing another rally at Baruipur under the Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency, Modi asserted that the TMC could never do any good for youths of the State. "The TMC and good governance have no relation. You won't find good governance in Bengal even under a microscope. The TMC works only for its vote bank and can never do anything good for youths of the State. The party has no vision," the PM said.