Amit Shah Launches Sharp Offensive Against Mamata Banerjee Government
Union Home Minister Amit Shah mounted a sharp offensive against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, alleging that her government has completely failed to protect women, people, and land in the state. Speaking at a BJP Karyakarta Sammelan in North 24 Parganas' Barrackpore, Shah claimed that corruption and infiltration have been allowed to flourish under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration purely for electoral gains.
'Maa, Maati, Manush' Slogan Has Lost All Meaning: Shah
Amit Shah declared that the famous slogan of "Maa, Maati, Manush" under which Mamata Banerjee came to power has "lost all meaning." He asserted that in the current state of affairs under Banerjee's government, all three elements—mothers, land, and people—remain unsafe and insecure.
"In the state of Mamata Didi's government, which came to power with the slogan 'Maa, Mati, Manush', today all three are unsafe. Maa is insecure; there is no solid guarantee for women's safety. Manush is troubled by Mamata's syndicate, and Mati has been swallowed by infiltrators," Shah stated during his address, as reported by ANI.
Infiltration Poses National Security Threat
The Home Minister accused the TMC government of deliberately weakening border security and providing shelter to infiltrators to protect its vote bank. He emphasized that the formation of a BJP government in West Bengal was crucial not just for the state but for national security.
"The way infiltration is taking place in West Bengal, it has become a security issue for the entire country. Even after court orders, the TMC government is not giving land to the BSF for border fencing because infiltrators are its vote bank," Shah alleged. He further claimed that illegal migrants were being sent across India using fake documents, with state administration and police turning a blind eye to these activities.
Anandpur Fire Tragedy: Result of Corruption, Not Accident
Referring to the recent deadly fire at a momo factory warehouse in Kolkata's Anandpur area, Shah alleged that the incident was "not an accident but the result of corruption" under the Mamata Banerjee government.
"I want to begin by paying tribute to all the workers who lost their lives in the fire at the momo factory in the Anandpur warehouse. This fire was not an accident. The fire at the Anandpur warehouse was a result of the corruption of the Mamata Banerjee government," he said.
Earlier this week, a massive fire at the factory left several people dead and many unaccounted for. According to police reports, 21 samples have been sent for profiling, 27 people have been reported missing, and three arrests have been made, with investigations continuing.
Questioning the state administration's response, Shah asked why the factory owners had not yet been arrested. "Has the administration completely ceased to exist in Bengal?" he said, suggesting that their alleged proximity to the ruling party was shielding them from legal action.
Allegations of Intimidation and Institutionalized Corruption
Shah also accused the TMC government of intimidating the Matua and Namashudra communities, urging them not to be afraid of such tactics. "I have come to know that Mamata Banerjee is intimidating the Matua community and the Namashudra community in West Bengal. There is no need to be afraid. Mamata ji cannot touch your vote," he said, according to ANI.
On the issue of corruption, the home minister threw a direct challenge to the chief minister, asking her to deny tickets to leaders facing graft allegations in the upcoming Assembly elections. "Today, I challenge Mamata ji. If you have the courage and if you truly oppose corruption, then prove it by not giving tickets to these people. You will not be able to do it," Shah said, alleging that corruption had been "institutionalized" in West Bengal under TMC rule.
Vande Mataram Controversy and Election Pitch
Shah also attacked the TMC over its opposition to a discussion on Vande Mataram in Parliament, accusing the party of practicing appeasement politics. On the 150th anniversary of the national song, he claimed that Mamata Banerjee was not opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but Bengal's identity and India's pride.
"By opposing Vande Mataram, Mamata Banerjee is not opposing Narendra Modi, but she is opposing the identity of Bengal and the pride of India," he said, appealing to voters to "uproot" the TMC and establish a "government of patriots."
Drawing a parallel with the Ramayana, Shah predicted a decisive BJP victory in the upcoming elections. "When Lord Shri Ram built the Ram Setu, even Ravana thought he was invincible. Mamata ji, this time watch out. BJP's vote share is going to be more than 50%, and our government will be formed with a massive majority," he declared confidently.
BJP Ramps Up Election Preparations in West Bengal
Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to West Bengal as the BJP intensifies preparations for the Assembly elections due in a few months. He arrived in Kolkata on Friday night and addressed the workers' meeting at Barrackpore on Saturday before flying to Bagdogra to attend an organizational meeting with party leaders from north Bengal.
This marks his second visit to the state within a month, underscoring the BJP's significant focus on West Bengal as the party seeks to dislodge the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in the upcoming polls. The political battle in Bengal is heating up with both parties preparing for what promises to be a fiercely contested election.
