The Bharatiya Janata Party’s national president, Nitin Nabin, on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee while addressing an election rally in Alipurduar.
Addressing party workers, supporters, and local residents, Nabin described the 15-year rule of the Trinamul Congress government as “dangerous,” alleging that the state’s developmental trajectory has steadily declined under the leadership of Miss Banerjee. He further claimed that the ruling dispensation has facilitated a “demographic change” in the state by allowing illegal infiltrators from neighbouring countries to settle in West Bengal.
Taking a dig at the Chief Minister over the SIR issue, the BJP leader said that while women in the state continue to face insecurity and atrocities, the state government has not approached the Supreme Court on their behalf. “However, when names of alleged infiltrators were removed from the voters’ list, she moved the apex court,” he added.
In a political swipe, Nabin offered his own interpretation of the acronym ‘TMC’, alleging that it stands for “extortion, appeasement aand corruption” while claiming that the party’s governance has resulted in insecurity for women and widespread corruption, including cut-money practices.
The BJP leader also trained his guns on the alleged teacher recruitment scam, asserting that a “service syndicate raj” prevails in the state. He alleged that meritorious candidates are being deprived of employment opportunities, while recruitment is being manipulated through corrupt means. Referring to the School Service Commission controversy, he cited the arrest and imprisonment of former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and claimed that the scam involved around ₹1,600 crore.
Targeting Abhishek Banerjee, Nabin alleged that the “development” narrative projected by the Trinamul Congress is, in reality, a system of extracting money from the poor. He further claimed that Banerjee is under investigation in multiple corruption cases and asserted that “he will have to go to jail one day.”
Citing recent observations of the Supreme Court, the BJP president alleged that West Bengal has become a symbol of lawlessness, with “jungle raj” prevailing across the state. He warned Trinamul Congress leaders and cadres against using intimidation during the elections, stating that “fear tactics will not work this time.”
Throwing a challenge to Miss Banerjee, Nabin urged her to support the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women during the parliamentary proceedings scheduled between 16 and 18 April, if she is genuinely committed to women’s safety and empowerment.
Outlining his party’s electoral assurances, the BJP leader said that tea garden workers in the state would be ensured full wages and improved welfare benefits if the party comes to power. He also announced that educated unemployed youth allegedly affected by recruitment irregularities would be granted an additional five-year relaxation in eligibility criteria.
The rally forms part of the BJP’s intensified campaign in North Bengal, where the party is seeking to consolidate its support base ahead of the upcoming electoral battle.