Amit Shah Says West Bengal’s Identity Will Change After Becoming Infiltration-Free

Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of encouraging infiltration by halting border fencing work. Coming amid recent unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh and growing concerns over illegal immigration, Shah’s remarks are seen as further heating up the political atmosphere ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Amit Shah said that development in West Bengal has come to a standstill due to corruption under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. He alleged that all welfare schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have fallen prey to “toll syndicates” in the state. “For the past 14 years, fear and corruption have become the identity of West Bengal. After April 15, 2026, when a BJP government is formed in the state, we will begin the work of reviving Bengal’s heritage and culture,” Shah said.

Referring to West Bengal as “Banga Bhumi,” he said the state holds special significance for the BJP as the party was founded by Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, one of Bengal’s most prominent leaders.

On the issue of infiltration, Shah said illegal immigration has been effectively curbed in Tripura and Assam, while it continues unabated in West Bengal. He accused Mamata Banerjee of not wanting to stop infiltration for political gains. “I want to ask Mamata Banerjee a direct question— which government refuses to give land for border fencing? The answer is your government. Then why do infiltrators enter the country through Bengal first? What are your patwaris and police stations doing? Why are these infiltrators not being sent back?” he asked.

Shah claimed that the fact infiltration has stopped in Assam and Tripura but continues in West Bengal indicates that the problem is linked to the policies of the state government. He further alleged that the Trinamool Congress government wants to change the demographic structure of the state for vote bank politics.

Emphasising that infiltration from West Bengal’s borders is not just a state issue but a matter of national security, Shah said, “If we want to protect the country’s culture and ensure its security, we must form a government in Bengal that completely seals the borders. TMC cannot do this; only the BJP can.”

Expressing confidence ahead of the elections, the Union Home Minister said the BJP would form the government in West Bengal with a two-thirds majority in the 2026 Assembly polls and would work to make the state infiltration-free, thereby transforming its identity.