Araria (Bihar), February 26 Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Thursday that the BJP is confident of winning the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and will expel every infiltrator from the state, which is one of the worst affected by demographic changes.
Shah made this statement in Araria district of Bihar, where he launched projects worth Rs 175 crore of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and dedicated two new border outposts to the nation.
According to Shah, driving out all infiltrators from the country is a top priority. These individuals not only pose a threat to national security but also exploit welfare benefits intended for citizens, thereby undermining the impact of government schemes.
"Large-scale infiltration also leads to encroachment in border areas. We are committed to addressing this. Infiltration also poses a threat to demographic changes, which can disrupt the culture and even the geography of a region," Shah said.
The Narendra Modi government at the center has decided to form a high-powered committee to study and address demographic changes by identifying the most vulnerable areas, the Union home minister stated.
"Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are the states most affected by demographic changes. The elections in West Bengal are expected to be held in March-April. We are confident that the BJP will win. And, it is a priority for every BJP government to expel infiltrators," Shah asserted.
The BJP, which was a minor force in West Bengal until a decade ago, has expanded its presence and emerged as the main challenger to the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who seeks a fourth consecutive term.
The elections to the 294-member assembly in West Bengal are likely to be held in March-April.
"My stay in this Seemanchal region of Bihar, during the assembly elections a few months ago, gave me the opportunity to meet with the people. I thank the people of the state for their strong support to the NDA," Shah said.
The BJP contested the polls on the issue of infiltration, despite criticism from opponents, he said.
"Expelling infiltrators is also a key part of our agenda in Bihar. I promise the people of the state and the entire country that we will expel all infiltrators before seeking their support again," Shah said.
The SSB plays an important role in preventing infiltration, he noted.
Responding to Shah's statement, opposition parties alleged that it was tantamount to "targeting Muslims" ahead of the West Bengal elections, where the minority community has a significant population.
"We always knew that the Home Minister was focused on West Bengal elections while touring Seemanchal. But he must not defame the people of the state, who remained loyal to India during the traumatic Partition, by branding them as infiltrators," said AIMIM state president and MLA Akhtarul Iman.
CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Sandeep Saurav said, "Why is Amit Shah still complaining about infiltration when not a single infiltrator could be traced in the massive SIR? He just wants to insult Muslims."
Shah also stated at the Araria event that guarding the borders is easier when proper fencing is in place and relations with the neighboring country are friendly. However, a different approach is needed when the border is porous, he said.
"I would, therefore, urge top officials of the SSB and other concerned agencies to sit together and prepare an SOP for such areas. It is essential that our jawans manning the borders maintain good relations with the inhabitants of villages situated along the borders. Their feedback would be helpful in checking smuggling and narcotics trade," Shah said.
The jawans should also have cordial relations with security personnel deployed across the border, the Union home minister said.
"The central government is also committed to the welfare of our jawans and their families. Schemes like CAPF Awas Yojana and CAPF Ayushman health insurance, besides scholarships for dependent family members, are in place. Ex gratia for those who suffer disabilities in the course of their duties has also been increased," he said.
Shah, who spoke in the presence of Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, began his speech by paying tributes to freedom fighter and Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar on his death anniversary.
"Veer Savarkar was not just a fearless patriot, but also a brilliant writer, who was at ease both in poetry and prose. It was his work that made people view the Revolt of 1857 as not a mere mutiny but the country's first war of Independence. He fought against social evils like untouchability and worked towards fostering nationalism till his death. I offer him my tributes on behalf of the nation," he added.