Union Home Minister Amit Shah has formally launched the Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral campaign in West Bengal, delivering a sharp critique of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 14-year tenure. At a press conference in Kolkata on December 30, 2025, Shah framed the upcoming state battle as a choice between what he termed "fear, corruption, and infiltration" under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP's promise of security, development, and restored pride.
Core Allegations: Infiltration and Governance Failures
Shah placed the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh at the center of his political offensive. He asserted that infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border is now a national security concern, not just a problem for West Bengal. The senior BJP leader accused the Mamata Banerjee-led state government of deliberately obstructing the completion of border fencing and facilitating illegal immigration for political and electoral gains.
Beyond border security, Shah leveled serious charges of systemic corruption. He alleged that corruption syndicates and toll collection rackets have crippled the state's development and hijacked central welfare schemes initiated by the Narendra Modi government. According to Shah, this has directly deprived the people of Bengal of the benefits meant for them.
BJP's Poll Promises: Security, Development, and Pride
Positioning the BJP as the sole alternative, Amit Shah outlined a clear agenda for the state if his party is voted to power. His key promises include a firm commitment to completely seal the international border to stop infiltration, ensure the safety and security of citizens, and accelerate all-round development. He vowed to dismantle the alleged corruption networks and ensure that central welfare schemes reach their intended beneficiaries without interference.
A central theme of his address was the restoration of Bengal's historical pride and glory, suggesting that the current administration has diminished the state's stature.
Setting the Stage for an Electoral Battle
The press conference in Kolkata is seen as the official sounding of the election bugle for the BJP in West Bengal. Shah's remarks clearly signal the party's intent to make illegal immigration, national security, and alleged governance failures the core planks of its campaign against the ruling TMC. This sets the stage for a fiercely contested election where border security and federal dynamics will be dominant themes.
The attack on Mamata Banerjee's long rule and the direct appeal to voters on issues of security and development marks a strategic opening for the BJP as it seeks to expand its influence in the eastern state.
