27 October, 2024;Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will end illegal immigration from Bangladesh into West Bengal if they come to power in the state in 2026. Shah made these remarks during the inauguration of a new cargo passenger terminal near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. He emphasized that cross-border infiltration has significantly impacted the peace and stability of the state, arguing that its cessation is critical to establishing a secure and harmonious West Bengal.
Shah highlighted the BJP’s commitment to addressing what he termed as a longstanding issue in the region. He remarked that illegal immigration has led to various socio-economic challenges and posed a threat to the security of the border areas. According to Shah, the current government in West Bengal, led by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has failed to curb the inflow of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Shah claimed that the TMC’s “soft stance” on the issue has aggravated the problem, allowing it to affect both border security and local communities.
Shah’s statements were part of a larger agenda by the BJP to emphasize national security and immigration as crucial issues for the upcoming state assembly elections. The newly inaugurated terminal at the border is expected to streamline trade and passenger movement between India and Bangladesh while bolstering border security. Shah expressed confidence that improved infrastructure and a firmer stance on border security could help prevent unauthorized entry from across the border.
This stance on illegal immigration is likely to become a central point of the BJP’s campaign in West Bengal as they prepare for the 2026 state elections. The party has reiterated its intention to implement strict measures to prevent illegal immigration, addressing the concerns of local communities who feel threatened by the influx of people from neighboring countries.
In recent years, the BJP has focused on similar border security concerns in other Indian states and at the national level. With Amit Shah’s latest declaration, the party aims to reassure West Bengal voters that national security and border integrity are top priorities. The Union Home Minister concluded his speech by calling on voters to support the BJP’s vision for a safer, more stable West Bengal, free from the challenges posed by unchecked cross-border infiltration.
