Shah blames Trinamul for ‘deleted’ Gorkha voters, promises restoration

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, holding her responsible for the alleged exclusion of several names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing an election rally at Sukna near Siliguri, in support of BJP candidates from Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong constituencies, Shah claimed that many Gorkha voters were removed from the rolls during the revision process under the state government’s watch. He asserted that once the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power in West Bengal, such names would be restored.

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Shah alleged that successive governments led by the Congress, CPI-M and the Trinamul Congress had neglected Darjeeling, and said only the BJP could offer a lasting solution to the region’s long-standing issues.

Referring to the Gorkha issue, he said the Chief Minister had failed to attend meetings in Delhi despite repeated requests. An interlocutor had since been appointed and a report prepared, based on which the BJP would address the aspirations and demands of the Gorkha people within the constitutional framework after forming the government.

He further said that politically motivated cases registered during the Gorkha movement would be withdrawn. “We will resolve the Gorkha issue in such a way that people will not need to agitate again,” he added.

Highlighting the party’s manifesto, Shah outlined a series of development initiatives for the region, including the establishment of AIIMS, IIT and IIM, along with a sports university for the Gorkha community, a tribal university and a forest research institute.

“Promotion of Darjeeling as an eco major adventure and heritage tourism hub will be undertaken to unlock its vast potential, create employment opportunities for local youth, and boost the region’s overall economic growth,” Shah said.

He also spoke of infrastructure development, including the upgrade of New Jalpaiguri railway station, and claimed that future bullet train connectivity would link Siliguri with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

On the tea sector, Shah said the BJP would revitalise tea gardens and raise the daily wages of workers to above Rs 500. He added that an inquiry would be initiated into alleged corruption in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration after the party assumes power.

Responding to allegations that a BJP government would discontinue state welfare schemes, Shah assured that no such programmes would be stopped. Instead, he said, central schemes would be implemented alongside them. He also promised a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 each for women and unemployed youth, and free bus travel for women.