‘Answer the bomb with ballot’: Amit Shah appeals to people ahead of West Bengal election, slams TMC for corruption and Bangladeshi infiltration

Amit Shah targets TMC in Bengal
Union Home Minister (Image via X/ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, 13th April, addressed a series of election rallies in West Bengal, intensifying the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. His outreach covered key regions like Birbhum, Bolpur and Paschim Bardhaman, where he interacted with party workers and supporters and launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee.

Strong attack on TMC in Birbhum

Addressing a large gathering in Mayureshwar in Birbhum district in support of BJP candidate Dudhkumar Mandal, Shah accused the state government of widespread corruption and forcing people to pay “cut money” even for basic services. He urged voters to respond to violence through democratic means.

He said that the BJP is the only party that can end what he described as corruption, infiltration and “bomb culture” in the state. “Answer the bomb with the ballot. The people of Bengal will respond to fear with trust,” Shah said, appealing to voters to choose the BJP.

Targeting Mamata Banerjee directly, he added, “You should find the lotus symbol on the machine. Bid Mamata Banerjee goodbye. After May 4, a double-engine government will be formed in Bengal, and a new era of development will begin.”

Shah also said that BJP workers in the region have faced violence. “Our workers have been beaten up. I am telling all the TMC goons that on April 23, stay locked in your houses; otherwise, after May 5, we will search every one of them and put them behind bars,” he said.

Law and order, infiltration and identity politics

Continuing his attack, Shah accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order and trying to create fear among communities. He referred to past incidents of unrest and questioned the Chief Minister’s role.

“I was listening to a speech by Didi. She was trying to instil fear in the majority community… Who is she to scare and instil fear?” he said, while also mentioning incidents like Ram Navami clashes and Saraswati Puja restrictions.

He assured voters that security arrangements would be strong during elections. “The time has come when none of Didi’s goons can touch anyone on the day of polls… The EC has over 800 companies to ensure peaceful polls, so no one needs to be scared,” Shah said.

On the issue of illegal immigration, Shah took a firm stand and said the BJP would act strictly. “This election is to remove infiltrators… we promise that not only in Bengal but we will take out infiltrators from all over the country,” he added.

Key announcements in Paschim Bardhaman

Later, while addressing a rally in Paschim Bardhaman, Shah expanded on the BJP’s national security and development agenda. He claimed that the Modi government had already taken strong action against Naxalism and would now focus on removing illegal infiltrators.

“We will undertake the task of expelling every single infiltrator from across Bengal… starting from the evening of 5th May, you should be prepared to leave Bengal,” he said.

He also criticised previous governments on terrorism, drawing a comparison with the current leadership. Referring to Narendra Modi, Shah said, “PM Narendra Modi ordered Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam attack, striking Pakistan where it hurt the most.”

Welfare promises and development pitch

Shah also made several promises aimed at voters across different sections. He said that if the BJP comes to power, it will implement the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees within 45 days.

He announced financial assistance schemes, saying, “The BJP government will deposit 3 thousand rupees every month into every Didi’s bank account… 21 thousand rupees will be given to pregnant mothers.”

He also promised ₹3,000 per month for unemployed youth, ₹9,000 annually for farmers, and loans of up to ₹10 lakh for young entrepreneurs. Additionally, he said women would get free bus travel and 33% reservation in government jobs.

Border security, industry and ‘Sonar Bangla’ vision

Focusing on border security, Shah accused the state government of not cooperating with the Border Security Force. “BSF needs 600 acres of land to fence the border. However, Mamata Didi refuses to give land, which leads to infiltration,” he said.

He further said that the ruling party benefits politically from such infiltration. “Mamata ji shelters infiltrators, and they, in turn, elect her,” he said.

Shah also promised industrial growth, saying the BJP would set up five industrial estates to boost investment in the state. Taking a swipe at the ruling party’s slogan, he said, “Mamata ji has turned Sonar Bangla into Syndicate Raj… BJP will work on building Sonar Bangla as dreamed by Rabindranath Tagore.”

As the state heads towards polling on 23rd and 29th April, Shah’s rallies signal an aggressive push by the BJP to expand its presence in West Bengal and challenge the dominance of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Written by OpIndia Staff
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