Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal on Tuesday, accusing it of actively supporting the illegal infiltration of migrants from Bangladesh for electoral benefits. He declared that what was once considered a state issue has now escalated into a grave matter of national security.
Allegations of State Complicity and Electoral Calculus
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata during his three-day visit to the state, Shah made a series of serious allegations. He claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was "abetting the infiltration of Bangladeshis" to gain an advantage in elections. The Home Minister asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), upon coming to power in the state, would not only identify these illegal immigrants but also ensure they are driven out.
Shah directly linked the state government's actions to a failure in border security. He alleged that the central government had been unable to complete the crucial fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border because the West Bengal administration was not providing the necessary land for the project. This, he implied, was a deliberate obstruction.
From State Concern to National Security Threat
The Home Minister emphasized the widening scope of the problem. "Ghuspetia (infiltration) is not only a problem of West Bengal anymore. This has gone beyond that. It is now a question of national security," Shah stated, framing the issue as one that impacts the entire country's safety and integrity.
He positioned the BJP as the sole party committed to resolving this crisis, promising to "stop infiltration" from the eastern borders and ensure the "revitalisation of Bengal." Shah expressed confidence that the people of Bengal were "anxious" about the situation and were ready for a change in governance.
Political Confrontation and Promises to Communities
Shah's visit was marked by strong political rhetoric. He dismissed any notion of a "setting" or understanding between the BJP and the TMC, stating his party would never align with those who shelter "ghuspetias." He predicted a BJP victory in the state with a two-thirds majority and accused the TMC of institutionalizing a politics of fear and violence, surpassing even the erstwhile Left Front.
Shah also made a significant assurance to the Matua community, a key demographic with refugee roots. He said that the voting rights of those who have applied for citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would be protected. "Every refugee who has come to India will be treated as a citizen. This is the BJP’s promise," he said, drawing a clear distinction between refugees and infiltrators.
On other issues, Shah blamed the state government for delays in Kolkata Metro projects due to land unavailability and cited the alleged killing of over 300 BJP workers and the displacement of thousands more as evidence of TMC's violent politics. He concluded by appealing to the people of Bengal to give the BJP a chance to govern, claiming the state had seen an "unprecedented slide" in industry and economy under the current administration.
