Mamata Abetting Infiltration For Poll Benefits; Bengal’s Demography Changed, Alleges Shah

KOLKATA, Dec 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of facilitating infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral gains, alleging that the practice has “dangerously changed” the state’s demography over the past few years.

Addressing a press conference here, Shah said infiltration has become a major concern among the people of West Bengal and asserted that the BJP would put an end to it after coming to power in the state with a “two-thirds majority” in the 2026 Assembly elections.

“We will identify infiltrators and drive them out. Bengal will have a BJP government after April 15, 2026, as people have already made up their minds,” Shah said.

He claimed that the Centre has been unable to complete fencing along the India-Bangladesh border due to the state government’s alleged failure to provide the required land. Shah reiterated that stopping infiltration from the eastern borders would be a priority and promised overall revitalisation of the state once the BJP assumes power.

Reassuring members of the Matua community, Shah said they need not fear the SIR exercise. “It is our pledge that all religiously persecuted refugees will be given shelter in the country. Even Mamata Banerjee cannot harm the Matuas,” he said.

The Union minister further alleged that the Trinamool Congress has surpassed the Left in fostering a politics of fear and violence in the state. “It was believed that violence and revenge politics would end after the defeat of the Communists, but the TMC has gone beyond them. More than 300 BJP workers have been killed so far, and over 3,000 are still unable to return to their homes unless they agree to carry the TMC flag,” he claimed.

Shah also accused senior TMC leaders of corruption, alleging that several have landed in jail on charges of siphoning off public money, with cash-counting machines overheating during raids at their residences.

Claiming a sharp economic decline in the state, Shah said over 7,000 industries have moved out of West Bengal. “The people of Bengal have decided to replace fear, corruption and misgovernance with good governance,” he said, appealing to voters to give the BJP an opportunity after having tried the Congress, Left and TMC. (Agencies)