In a recent campaign for the upcoming assembly by-elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters in West Bengal to bring about change in the 2026 state assembly elections. He claimed that change would resolve the infiltration issues in the state and restore peace. Shah reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to the development of West Bengal, while also accusing the state government of corruption regarding the funds allocated by the central government.
As six assembly seats prepare for by-elections, Shah arrived in West Bengal on Saturday. He participated in a BSF event at the Petrapole border on Sunday, where he inaugurated the Maitri Dwar and called for change. Shah stated, “I tell the people of Bengal today, ‘Bring about change in 2026. We will stop all infiltrators completely. Once infiltration is controlled, peace will return to Bengal. Cultural and linguistic exchanges with neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar will increase, ushering in a new era of cooperation.'”
Criticizing the Trinamool Congress government, Shah pointed out, “Mamata Didi is a member of the I.N.D.I alliance. She has had ministers in the central government for ten years. What have they done for Bengal? I have answers. The UPA government provided only ₹2.9 lakh crore to Bengal over ten years, while from 2014 to 2024, the Modi government will have given ₹7.74 lakh crore. However, the money sent by Modi is lost to corruption.”
Shah reassured the people, “I assure you, good days are not far off. The good days will begin here with the vote count of the 2026 assembly elections.” He challenged the allegations made by Mamata Banerjee regarding the misuse of funds for the 100-day work scheme, questioning where the ₹54,000 crore allocated had gone—whether it reached the intended workers or was pocketed by Trinamool Congress members.
Further addressing the issue of government funding, Shah claimed that the UPA government had allocated ₹5,400 crore for the rural road scheme, while the NDA had only provided ₹1,700 crore. In contrast, the UPA allocated ₹4,500 crore for housing, and Modi’s administration has given ₹50,000 crore for similar schemes. Despite his claims, the Trinamool Congress accused the center of withholding the funds due to the state.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh criticized Shah’s remarks about “good days” and described him as a “political tourist.” He stated, “One day he talks about the year 2021, another about 2022, then 2023, 2024, and so on. He is indeed a political figure, but his visits hold little significance for the people.”
On the issue of infiltration, Kunal stated, “If Amit Shah speaks about infiltration, it reflects poorly on the central government. The BSF, under his ministry, is responsible for guarding the international borders, not the state or Kolkata police. Thus, if the Home Minister admits to infiltration issues, it indicates a failure of the central government in border security.”
Kunal also dismissed Shah’s claims regarding fund allocations, emphasizing that there is a lengthy list of corruption allegations against the BJP. He asserted that the central government is intentionally withholding ₹1.7 lakh crore owed to West Bengal. He called for a white paper to be published by Shah and the central government to clarify these issues rather than mere rhetoric.