'Fear, Corruption, Lies': Amit Shah Sounds Bengal Poll Bugle, Unveils BJP's Chargesheet Against Mamata's TMC Govt | Key Points

New Delhi: Ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, joined by LoP Suvendu Adhikari and State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya, sounded the election bugle in Kolkata today. 

In a coordinated strike, Shah released the BJP’s 'chargesheet' against the ruling Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

‘Fear and Trust’

Training guns at the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, Shah asserted that the upcoming elections in Bengal will be a choice between "fear and trust."

Spearheading a full-throttle attack on the TMC leadership, Shah said, "In the coming elections, Bengal has to choose between fear and trust. For the last 15 years, politics of fear and corruption has been going on. Mamata Banerjee has created a new way of politics by using lies and violence to move her politics forward. The basis of TMC coming to power is lies, fear and violence. But since 2011, BJP has been fighting against this, and I believe that this time BJP will form the government in Bengal."

The union minister added, "In today's press conference, we have come with a chargesheet against the 15 years of rule by the TMC government. This chargesheet is filed against the Mamata Banerjee government on behalf of the people of Bengal, which the BJP is voicing. In a way, the people of Bengal have to decide in the coming elections whether to choose fear or to choose trust."

Levelling these charges against the TMC government, Shah exuded confidence in the BJP, asserting that despite these tactics, the Saffron Party, which has opposed such practices since 2011, will form the next government in Bengal.

He said, “We will topple Mamata govt and ensure clear majority in Bengal.”

Attacking further, Shah described the upcoming polls as crucial not only for the state but also for the country and stated West Bengal has been a victim of “anarchy".

Shah on infiltration and illegal migrants

Home minister Shah said the election holds importance beyond Bengal and is linked to national security. He stressed that winning the polls is necessary to maintain security and remove illegal migrants.

“This election is important not just for Bengal but for the country. It is important for national security," he said.

Shah also charged the TMC government with facilitating illegal infiltration into West Bengal stating, “Vote bank of infiltrators is what means the most to you”. 

He further asserted stating, “On 6th May, BJP will come in West Bengal and will do everything to stop infiltration.”

Shah contrasted the situation with Assam, claiming that infiltration had been effectively checked after the BJP took power there, leaving West Bengal as the primary remaining route for illegal entry.

“This is the only place from where infiltration takes place. After BJP won Assam, infiltration has stopped from there. It’s only Bengal from where infiltration takes place now," he said.

He also questioned whether infiltrators should decide the future of the state. “Are infiltrators the stakeholders to decide the future of the state?" he said.

The 'Cut Money' Government

Attacking TMC further, Shah also accused the TMC of failing its people. He claimed that instead of the promised "Golden Era," the ruling party had established a "cut money government."

“TMC made Bengal a graveyard of industries," he said.

He also alleged that TMC workers were harassing people and creating an atmosphere of fear.

“TMC goons are torturing the people of Bengal. Bengalis want to get rid of fear," he said.

He added that the state has seen 15 years of “lies and fear" under TMC rule and said the BJP would provide solutions to what he described as its “tyranny".

Call to remove illegal migrants

The Home Minister issued a stern mandate to purge the names of illegal migrants from voter lists and ensure their deportation.

“I want to state today not only these illegal migrants be thrown out of the voting list but they will be out of our country soon," he said.

He also alleged that infiltrators were being kept as voters. He added, “You have kept infiltrators as voters here. I want to say we want to throw out infiltrators from this country."

Victim politics of Mamata

Home Minister Shah also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of using the "victim card" in politics

He accused Mamata of pretending to be a victim during elections, adding that the people of Bengal have now understood her tactics.

Shah said, "Mamata Banerjee has always played the politics of the victim card. At times, she gets her leg broken; at other times, she has her head bandaged; sometimes she falls ill; and then again, she stands before the Election Commission feigning helplessness while hurling abuses at the institution. But I have come to tell her that the people of Bengal have now thoroughly understood this politics of the victim card..."

Sonar Bangla promise?

He further criticized the TMC for failing to deliver on its promise of a "Sonar Bangla," turning Bengal into a hub for criminal syndicates and stifling industrial growth, which he described as a “graveyard for industry.” 

SIR drive in Bengal

Shah further pointed out that only in Bengal were judicial officers deployed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a situation not seen anywhere else in the country. 

"SIR is happening across the entire country, yet nowhere else did judicial officers have to be deployed--only in Bengal. What is the reason for this?... Mamata Banerjee should answer this to the people of Bengal... She is levelling allegations against SIR; however, today I wish to ask the people of Bengal: should those infiltrators who have been kept here be allowed to decide the future of Bengal?... I want to make it clear on behalf of the BJP that we are resolved to identify and expel every single infiltrator from the country, not merely from the voter lists but from across the entire nation, and this is my party's agenda," he said.

OBC row

In a sharp attack, Shah criticised West Bengal Chief Minister for including 77 communities in the OBC category, claiming that 75 of them were Muslim communities. He questioned whether OBC status should now be determined based on religion.

"The people of Bengal should know that Mamata Banerjee included 77 communities in the OBC category, out of which 75 are Muslim communities. Are there no other communities left? Will OBC now be decided on the basis of religion? This will not continue for long," he said.

Notably, the BJP’s charges against the TMC comes ahead of the state assembly polls where West Bengal will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

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