High-Stakes Bengal Battle: Amit Shah Vows to ‘Rid Bengal of Infiltrators’, Takes On Mamata on Her Turf
Amit Shah vows to rid West Bengal of infiltrators during a high-voltage poll rally on Mamata Banerjee’s turf, intensifying election battle
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, alleging that its tenure in West Bengal has been marked by corruption, fear and infiltration, posing a serious threat to the state’s security. He accused Banerjee of abetting the infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral gains and said the BJP would identify and remove infiltrators if it comes to power.
Calling the coming months crucial for Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections due in April, Shah said the state had suffered under 15 years of Trinamool rule. “Over the last 15 years, Bengal has witnessed fear, corruption and misgovernance. Infiltration has created a sense of insecurity and anxiety among the people,” he said while addressing a press conference in Kolkata.
The BJP leader said the mood of the electorate clearly reflected a desire for change. “With the Assembly elections scheduled for April, it is evident that the people of Bengal are resolved to form a strong government focused on development, heritage and the welfare of the poor, instead of fear, corruption, misgovernance and infiltration,” Shah said.
Alleging that fear and corruption had become the identity of Bengal over the past 14 years, Shah asserted that the BJP would restore the state’s lost glory if voted to power. “After April 15, 2026, when a BJP government is formed in Bengal, we will begin the revival of Bengal’s pride, culture and renaissance,” he said.
“We will work to build a Bengal envisioned by Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Syama Prasad Mukherjee,” Shah added.
At a lengthy press briefing, Shah flagged what he described as a rise in infiltration in West Bengal, which shares a border with Bangladesh.
He said, “Infiltration happening along Bengal borders is not an issue limited only to Bengal, it is now a matter of national security. We have to save the country’s culture. If we have to ensure the safety of our country, we need a patriotic government here which will seal the borders. Mamata Banerjee can’t do this, only BJP can.”
“The people of Bengal are anxious over infiltration. We will not only identify infiltrators but also drive them out. Mamata Banerjee is abetting the infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral benefit,” Shah said, adding, “We have not been able to complete the fencing of the Bangladesh border because the West Bengal government is not giving us land,” he claimed in Kolkata.
Escalating the attack on Trinamool, the Union Minister alleged, “Due to corruption under the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state, development in West Bengal has stopped. All beneficial schemes started by Modi ji have become victims of the toll syndicate here”.
According to Shah’s analysis, the BJP’s steady electoral growth in West Bengal signals the saffron party’s strong prospects in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
“In the 2014 elections, we secured 17 per cent of the vote share and won two seats. In the 2016 Assembly elections, our vote share stood at 10 per cent and we won only three seats. Then, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, our vote share rose sharply to 41 per cent, translating into 18 seats,” Shah said.
He further noted that the party consolidated its gains in the 2021 Assembly elections, winning 38 per cent of the votes and securing 77 seats. “This is a huge transformation. A party that had just three seats increased its tally to 77 within a span of five years,” he said.
Shah also highlighted the decline of other major political forces in the state. He said the Congress, which had its roots in Bengal, was reduced to zero seats, while the Left alliance, which ruled the state for 34 years, failed to win even a single seat. “In contrast, we emerged as the principal opposition,” he added.
The political temperature in West Bengal rose sharply after Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a fierce poll pitch from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s stronghold, vowing to “rid Bengal of infiltrators” if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power. Shah’s remarks, delivered at a high-voltage election rally, have intensified the already bitter contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of crucial elections.
Addressing party workers and supporters, Amit Shah accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of allowing large-scale infiltration, alleging that it has impacted national security, demographic balance, and access to welfare benefits meant for Indian citizens. His comments immediately triggered sharp reactions from the TMC, setting the stage for another round of political confrontation in the state.
During his speech, Shah alleged that West Bengal has become a “safe haven” for illegal infiltrators due to what he described as vote-bank politics pursued by the TMC government. He claimed that the BJP, if elected, would take strict action to identify and deport infiltrators while safeguarding the rights of genuine citizens.
“Bengal deserves security, development, and dignity. We will not allow infiltrators to snatch jobs, resources, and rights meant for the people of this state,” Shah said, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
The Home Minister also reiterated the BJP’s commitment to implementing citizenship-related measures transparently and in accordance with constitutional provisions, while accusing the state government of misleading people for political gains.
The Trinamool Congress was quick to hit back, with party leaders accusing Shah and the BJP of attempting to polarise voters using fear and misinformation. TMC spokespersons said the state has always upheld unity and diversity and alleged that the BJP was trying to import divisive politics into Bengal.
“Mamata Banerjee’s government has focused on development, welfare, and harmony. These statements are meant to distract from the BJP’s failures elsewhere,” a senior TMC leader said.
The ruling party also questioned the timing of Shah’s remarks, calling them an election stunt aimed at consolidating votes rather than addressing real issues faced by the people.
Infiltration and border security have emerged as key election issues in West Bengal, particularly in districts close to the international border. The BJP has repeatedly accused the TMC of ignoring the problem, while the state government maintains that border management falls under the jurisdiction of the Centre.
Political analysts say Shah’s remarks are part of a broader BJP strategy to position national security and citizenship as central themes in the Bengal elections, countering Mamata Banerjee’s strong welfare-focused narrative.
“The BJP is trying to sharpen its ideological pitch, while the TMC is banking on its governance record. This clash of narratives will define the election,” said a political observer.
By choosing to make such a strong statement on Mamata Banerjee’s home turf, Amit Shah signaled the BJP’s intent to challenge the TMC’s dominance head-on. The rally location and timing suggest that the BJP is looking to energise its cadre and make inroads into areas traditionally loyal to the ruling party.
Shah also highlighted central government initiatives, claiming that Bengal has not fully benefited from them due to alleged non-cooperation by the state government. He urged voters to give the BJP a chance to bring what he called “double-engine growth” to the state.
With elections approaching, political rhetoric in West Bengal is expected to intensify further. Both parties are likely to sharpen their attacks, with issues such as infiltration, welfare delivery, corruption allegations, and development taking centre stage.
For voters, the coming weeks will be crucial as they weigh competing claims and promises. Whether Amit Shah’s tough stance on infiltration resonates with the electorate or whether Mamata Banerjee’s welfare-centric approach prevails remains to be seen.
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