Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the West Bengal government of permitting illegal immigration from Bangladesh for political gain, asserting that the state’s demographic profile has been “dangerously altered” over the years and warning that public anxiety over border management and security was intensifying.Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the Bharatiya Janata Party would “put a complete stop” to infiltration if voted to power in the 2026 Assembly elections. He claimed the party would secure a two-thirds majority, framing the contest as a referendum on governance, border control and public safety.
Shah alleged that successive administrations led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had failed to enforce existing laws, allowing unauthorised cross-border movement to continue unchecked. He argued that the issue had moved beyond politics into a matter of national security and social cohesion, contending that unchecked migration placed pressure on welfare systems and altered local electoral dynamics.
The Home Minister’s remarks follow a renewed political push by the Bharatiya Janata Party in eastern states, where it has sought to consolidate support by foregrounding border management and identity verification. Party leaders have pointed to long-standing concerns raised by residents in border districts, citing claims of forged documents, irregular settlements and strains on public services.
Shah reiterated the Centre’s position that border management remains a shared responsibility, noting that while the Union government deploys central forces and invests in infrastructure along the frontier, state administrations play a crucial role in policing, verification of documents and local enforcement. He said coordination would be strengthened if the party formed the government in West Bengal, promising administrative reforms and stricter oversight of identity records.
The state government has consistently rejected allegations of facilitating illegal immigration, maintaining that it follows the law and cooperates with central agencies. Leaders aligned with Banerjee have countered that the BJP’s rhetoric risks stoking social tensions and overlooks humanitarian considerations, particularly in a region with historic cross-border ties and migration flows shaped by economic and environmental pressures.
Policy analysts note that migration across the India–Bangladesh border has been influenced by multiple factors over decades, including employment opportunities, family connections and climate-related displacement in riverine areas. They add that while unauthorised entry is a legal issue, comprehensive responses typically combine enforcement with verification processes and bilateral cooperation.
Shah’s intervention also reflects broader electoral calculations as the BJP seeks to expand its footprint in West Bengal after improving its vote share in earlier Assembly polls. The party has invested in organisational strengthening and high-profile campaigns, with senior leaders repeatedly visiting the state to rally cadres and sharpen contrasts with the ruling dispensation.
At the press conference, Shah linked border management to economic stability, arguing that firm action would protect legitimate beneficiaries of welfare schemes and ensure fair access to jobs and public resources. He accused the state leadership of prioritising “vote-bank politics” over governance, a charge the ruling party has dismissed as politically motivated.