With Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled to embark on a crucial three-day tour of West Bengal, the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership moved to address mounting anxieties among its core supporters. On Sunday, a day before Shah's arrival in Kolkata, senior party figures sought to reassure Hindu voters amid controversies surrounding the ongoing revision of electoral rolls.
Reassurance Amid Revision Concerns
The political temperature in the state has risen significantly around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with allegations of large-scale deletions. Union Minister and former Bengal BJP chief, Sukanta Majumdar, directly addressed these concerns. He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of attempting to "divide the BJP's Hindu vote bank." Majumdar further claimed that the TMC is now apprehensive about a potential split in the Muslim vote following the launch of a new party by Humayun Kabir.
Striking a confident note, Majumdar stated, "The Election Commission's role is to ensure that the voter list is error-free. Their job is not to find if any Bangladeshi or Rohingya has been included in the electoral roll." He emphatically added, "However, BJP is going to win the election even if a single name is not deleted during the SIR." This statement is seen as a strategic move to calm supporters while keeping the focus on the party's electoral strength.
Amit Shah's Packed Itinerary and Political Fireworks
Amit Shah is set to arrive in Kolkata on Monday evening, marking the start of his intensive political engagement. His itinerary includes a visit to the BJP's Salt Lake office around 7:30 PM for a meeting with state functionaries. An organisational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, and Shah is likely to attend a programme at Maniktala. He will also participate in several organisational meetings on Wednesday before concluding his tour.
The issue of the electoral roll revision is expected to be a focal point in Shah's discussions. Alongside Majumdar's comments, another Union Minister, Giriraj Singh, launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Singh accused the TMC of "minority appeasement" which he claimed would prove counterproductive. In a charged remark, he said, "Desperate to hold on to power, TMC is trying to turn Bengal into Bangladesh. While Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh, CM Mamata Banerjee is offering jobs to Rohingya."
The Stakes in West Bengal's Political Arena
The high-profile visit and the pre-emptive statements from BJP leaders underscore the intense political battle brewing in West Bengal. The SIR process has become a major flashpoint, with both major parties trading serious allegations. The BJP's strategy appears to be two-pronged: fortifying its Hindu voter base by directly addressing their concerns regarding the voter list, while simultaneously accusing the TMC of polarising politics and mismanagement.
As Amit Shah prepares to land in Kolkata, his meetings with state functionaries are poised to set the tone for the BJP's campaign strategy in the run-up to future elections. The party's attempt to project confidence, despite the controversies, indicates a keen focus on maintaining momentum and consolidating its position as the principal opposition to the entrenched Trinamool Congress government.
