Voted to power, state to hand over land to BSF for border fencing: Shah
The Statesman | 15 April 2026
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said that within 45 days of a BJP government coming to power in West Bengal, land would be handed over to the Centre to facilitate fencing and construction of barriers along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border to curb infiltration.
Addressing a rally in Birbhum, Mr Shah said the Centre would take steps to push back infiltrators not only from Bengal but from across the country, adding that similar measures have already been adopted in several developed nations.
The BJP would win all eleven seats in Birbhum district and set a new record, Mr Shah claimed, while campaigning for party candidates, including those from Mayureswar and Labhpur constituencies.
“I have travelled across the entire state. Do you want to know who will win the next Assembly election? It is written on the walls that after 4 May, the people of West Bengal have decided to bid goodbye to the present government,” he said.
He alleged that the people of Birbhum were determined to respond to a series of bomb blasts in the district through their votes. “Press on the lotus symbol on 23 April, and after 4 May, the next BJP government will take action against those responsible for violence during the Mamata Banerjee regime,” he added.
Mr Shah alleged that corruption had become widespread under the Trinamul Congress (TMC) government, describing Birbhum as a prime example. Without naming anyone, he referred to the alleged cross-border cattle smuggling scam.
He further alleged that residents are fed up with ‘cut money’ and a syndicate system, claiming that people were forced to pay illegal levies for construction materials such as sand, bricks and cement.
The Union minister asserted that a “double-engine government” would usher in a new phase of development in the state after 4 May. He also accused the ruling party of fostering a climate of violence, alleging that BJP workers had been targeted since 2013.
Warning alleged TMC supporters, Mr Shah said they should remain indoors on the polling day, 23 April, or face legal action after the results were declared.
Raising local issues, he flagged acute drinking water shortage in Mayureswar and questioned the utilisation of funds allocated under the Jal Jeevan Mission by the Central government, led by Narendra Modi.
Mr Shah also said that it was Mr Modi who had pushed for Santiniketan to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. He alleged that unauthorised construction in the buffer zone of Visva-Bharati University posed a threat to the site.
He further stated that Bengali had been accorded classical language status under the Modi government.
Referring to recent incidents, Mr Shah questioned law and order in the state, mentioning unrest in Murshidabad and attacks on Ram Navami processions. He said over 800 companies of Central Armed Police Forces had been deployed to ensure peaceful polling.
On women’s safety, he claimed that under a BJP government, women would be able to move freely at night and incidents such as those reported in Sandeshkhali and at institutions including RG Kar Medical College would not recur.
He also promised the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, introduction of a Uniform Civil Code, and financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month for women and unemployed youth.