Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah accused the state administration of rampant corruption, running a "toll syndicate" on central welfare schemes, and actively facilitating infiltration from Bangladesh.
Corruption Halting Development: The 'Toll Syndicate' Charge
Shah asserted that development in West Bengal has come to a standstill due to the deep-rooted corruption under the current regime. He claimed that all beneficial schemes initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have fallen victim to this extortion racket operated by the state government. "Fear and corruption have become West Bengal’s identity for the last 14 years," Shah stated, referring to the TMC's tenure since 2011.
The Home Minister positioned the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections in April 2026 as a crucial turning point. He promised a revival of the state's heritage and culture if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power. He invoked the legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the BJP's precursor Jana Sangh, who hailed from Bengal.
National Security Threat: Accusations of Harbouring Infiltrators
In one of his most serious allegations, Amit Shah accused the Mamata Banerjee government of deliberately turning Bengal into a safe haven for infiltrators from Bangladesh. He linked this to vote-bank politics, alleging the TMC allows illegal immigration to bring about demographic changes and consolidate its electoral strength.
"Can the CM answer why infiltration has stopped at the borders of Tripura, Assam, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir and Gujarat?" Shah challenged. He emphasized that the issue of infiltration from the Bengal border is a matter of national security.
BJP's Poll Promise: A National Grid and Crackdown
Outlining the BJP's agenda for the state, Shah made a firm commitment to stop illegal immigration. He promised to construct a comprehensive national grid along the border. "Not even a bird will be able to come in," he declared.
He further vowed that a BJP government, if formed after April 15, 2026, would identify all infiltrators and expel them from the country. Shah also accused the state government of not cooperating with central efforts to secure the border by refusing to allot land for border fencing.
The Union Minister's sharp critique sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in Bengal, with issues of corruption, governance, and national security expected to be central themes in the 2026 campaign.
