Kolkata, Feb 5 (IANS): BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Wednesday said influx of people from Bangladesh into India has "snatched" away the livelihood of many people in West Bengal.

Modi asserted that the rights to resources and development "first and foremost" belong to sons of the soil.

The Gujarat chief minister was addressing a mammoth rally at the Brigade Parade grounds to kickstart the Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in the state.

"Influx from Bangladesh is worrying people, be it in Assam or here in West Bengal. This has snatched away the livelihood of people in the state. For the growth and development of India, first and foremost right on resources belongs to the natives.

"Shouldn't jobs go to the citizens of the country first? Shouldn't the people of India have the first right to resources and development? But today, Bangladeshis are getting the benefits. Where will the youth go? Where will the sons of the poor go," he asked.