Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in West Bardhaman on Tuesday ahead of the state assembly elections, laying out the Bharatiya Janata Party’s pitch to voters. He said that if the BJP comes
to power, the chief minister will be from Bengal itself. According to him, the state will get a “Bengal-born” leader.
He also targeted Abhishek Banerjee, referring to him as “bhaipo”, and asserted that he would never become the chief minister of the state. Amit Shah urged people to support the BJP, asking them to “press the lotus button” in the upcoming polls.
Border security and infiltration
Speaking at a rally in Kulti, Shah said that once a BJP government is formed, steps would be taken within 45 days to strengthen border security. He said land would be handed over to the Border Security Force for fencing work that, according to him, had not been completed under Mamata Banerjee’s government.
He claimed that the borders would be secured so strictly that “not only humans, but even birds” would not be able to enter. Amit Shah said the election was not just about forming a government but about freeing Bengal from infiltrators. He added that voters should press the lotus symbol on April 23 and form the BJP government on May 5, promising that infiltrators would be identified and removed.
Allegations Against TMC
During his address, the Union Home Minister accused Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress of being involved in scams in West Bengal. He told the crowd to “wait for May 5”, saying that those involved in corruption would be sent to jail once the BJP comes to power.
He also accused Mamata Banerjee of spreading misinformation about the BJP planning to appoint an outsider as chief minister. Shah rejected the claim, repeating that the chief minister would be a Bengali born and brought up in the state.
Law and order and poll security
Shah also spoke about law and order during the elections. Referring to the deployment of central armed police forces by the Election Commission, he warned that any attempt to disrupt the polling process would be dealt with strictly.
He said that if “goons” tried to interfere with voting, they would be dealt with firmly. Shah further claimed that there was a lack of safety for women in the state, despite having a female chief minister. He criticised the current government and said it should be “ashamed” of the poor law and order situation.
Economic concerns and local issues
Touching upon local concerns, Shah said that Kulti, once known as a major iron ore production hub, had been pushed towards closure under the present TMC government. He used this example to criticise the state’s economic management.
He also promised that after May 4, a BJP government would act against criminal networks. According to him, the government would track down and act against “all the mafia” operating in the state.
Promise on Gorkha issue
At another rally in Kurseong in North Bengal, Shah made a separate promise aimed at hill voters. He said that if the BJP forms the government, it would resolve the long-pending Gorkha issue within six months.
The assurance was aimed at connecting with voters in the hills, where the demand has remained a key political concern for decades.
West Bengal will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
