Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will come to power in West Bengal in the 2026 Assembly elections. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has pushed the state into ‘misgovernance, corruption and infiltration’.
Shah said the people of Bengal have resolved to elect a ‘strong and decisive government’ that will restore the state’s legacy and ensure development and welfare.
Addressing a press conference, Shah invoked the legacy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, noting that December 30 marks the day when Bose hoisted the Indian flag in Port Blair in 1943.
“December 30 is the day of pride for Indians since, on this day in 1943, Bengal’s son Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag in Port Blaire. It is also a crucial time for Bengal, starting today until April, as the state will hold assembly elections. People in Bengal have resolved to elect a strong government that brings them legacy, development, and welfare instead of (a government that has brought) fear, corruption, misgovernance, and infiltration,” Shah said.
#WATCH | Kolkata | Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “Due to corruption under the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state, development in West Bengal has stopped. All beneficial schemes started by Modi ji have become victims of the toll syndicate here. Fear and corruption… pic.x.com/E3xtyBPm9l
— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2025
Shah targets Mamata Banerjee over ‘misgovernance’
The Home Minister launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government, accusing it of failing on governance and law and order.
“In the last 15 years of the TMC rule in Bengal, the state has seen fear, corruption, misgovernance, and worry among its citizens due to infiltration of illegal immigrants,” Shah alleged.
Shah said a future BJP government in West Bengal would prioritise development and the welfare of the poor. “We assure the people of Bengal that once a BJP government is formed, we will focus on development and Gareeb Kalyan. We will build a national grid to stop infiltration,” he said.
He further announced strict action against illegal immigrants, stating that the proposed border security mechanism would be impenetrable.
“Insaan chhod dijiye, parinda bhi par nahi maar paye — such a strong grid will be created. We will not only stop infiltration but also ensure that every illegal infiltrator is removed,” Shah said.
#WATCH | Kolkata | On the issue of infiltration, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says,”…I have written 7 letters to Mamata Banerjee on the issue of fencing (along India-Bangladesh border). In the last 6 years, the Home Secretary has visited West Bengal thrice and held meetings… pic.x.com/MVDS27BARU
— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2025
Three-day Bengal visit ahead of 2026 polls
Union Home Minister is on a three-day visit to West Bengal. He arrived in Kolkata last night.
Ahead of the polls, Shah held a closed-door meeting with the state BJP’s top leadership at the party’s Salt Lake office to review organisational preparedness and campaign strategy. Senior state leaders and central leaders in charge of West Bengal were present.
“There were discussions mainly on mass contact programmes ahead of the assembly polls. The home minister also gathered information regarding the present situation of the state and organisational condition of the party,” a senior BJP leader said.
According to sources, the hour-long meeting focused on sharpening the BJP’s organisational and campaign strategy ahead of the crucial election.
Sources said Shah took stock of proposed roadshows, public meetings and a planned Rath Yatra across the state. He reportedly sought details on membership drives, mandal-level padayatras, attendance and public response.
The Home Minister was also briefed on the political situation in the state, including the BJP’s assessment of the Trinamool Congress’s strategy, law and order issues and the role of the administration during elections, party sources claimed.