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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday made it clear that for the Bharatiya Janata Party, numerical dominance across India is not the final goal. Addressing back-to-back public rallies in West Bengal, Shah said that despite the BJP and its NDA allies governing 21 states and Union Territories, the party’s real sense of achievement would come only when it forms a government in Bengal.
Speaking first in Siliguri and later in Barrackpore, Shah framed West Bengal not merely as another electoral battleground but as an ideological and emotional frontier for the BJP. He invoked the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Jana Sangh, to underline the party’s historical connection to the state and its determination to reclaim political ground from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Bengal Central to BJP’s National Narrative
Shah argued that electoral success elsewhere cannot compensate for what the BJP sees as persistent political violence and governance failures in Bengal. Referring to the deaths of party workers over the years, he said BJP cadres across the country feel incomplete until Bengal witnesses political change. According to him, the morale of workers—and even the leadership—hinges on securing a mandate in the state.
With Assembly elections expected in the coming months, Shah’s remarks were a clear signal that the BJP is shifting into campaign mode, particularly in north Bengal. He predicted a decisive sweep in the region, calling it the launchpad for the party’s broader Bengal strategy.
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Sharp Attack on Trinamool Governance
The Home Minister launched a sustained attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government, accusing it of turning corruption into an institutional practice. He alleged that scandals and governance failures have eroded public trust and claimed the state administration has failed to protect democratic processes.
Shah also accused the Trinamool Congress of prioritising political appeasement over national interest. He alleged that the party opposed parliamentary discussions on patriotic issues such as Vande Mataram to safeguard its vote base, a charge the TMC has consistently denied.
Border Security and Infiltration Take Centre Stage
A major portion of Shah’s speech focused on border security, particularly illegal infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border. Calling it a matter of national security, he accused the West Bengal government of not cooperating with the Centre by delaying land acquisition required for border fencing.
According to Shah, infiltration has implications far beyond the state, as forged documents allegedly prepared in Bengal are used across the country. He defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that its purpose is to remove discrepancies and ensure electoral integrity. Shah claimed the state government’s resistance to the exercise exposed its political motives.
‘Chicken’s Neck’ Remark Highlights Strategic Messaging
Referring to the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor—often called the “chicken’s neck”—Shah condemned slogans allegedly raised by certain groups calling for its separation. He asserted that the region is an inseparable part of India and criticised opposition parties for what he described as their soft response to such statements.
He further claimed that attempts were made by leaders aligned with the INDIA bloc to secure bail for those accused, though courts ultimately refused relief.
Comparisons With the Past and BJP’s Growth Claim
In one of his sharpest remarks, Shah said that even the Left Front governments that once ruled Bengal performed better than the current Trinamool regime. He accused the present leadership of deepening social divisions while failing on development.
Highlighting the BJP’s growth, Shah traced its rise from a marginal presence in 2016 to a major opposition force in 2021. He expressed confidence that the party could cross the halfway mark in vote share this time, with north Bengal playing a decisive role.
TMC Hits Back
Reacting strongly, Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee dismissed Shah’s statements, branding him an ineffective Home Minister. He accused BJP leaders of treating Bengal as a seasonal campaign destination, making promises during election time and abandoning them later.
As political temperatures rise, Shah’s speeches indicate that Bengal is set to be one of the most fiercely contested states in the BJP’s national roadmap.
