Kolkata, 21 April (H.S.): On the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the state government while addressing a rally in Kurseong in the Darjeeling hills. He made several promises on resolving Gorkha issues, ensuring women’s safety, stopping infiltration and accelerating development in North Bengal.

Shah said the Bharatiya Janata Party was set to form the next government in West Bengal and that the Mamata Banerjee government’s exit was certain. He claimed that the people of the state were ready for political change.

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Major Assurance to the Gorkha Community

He said that if the BJP came to power, long-pending issues of the Gorkha community would be resolved. Shah claimed that by May 6, a solution would be found that would bring satisfaction to every Gorkha household.

He accused both the Congress and the Trinamool Congress of neglecting Darjeeling and treating the Gorkha community unfairly for years.

The Union Home Minister also said that if names of some Gorkha voters had been removed from the electoral rolls, they would be restored after the elections. He assured that every eligible voter would be re-entered in the voter list.

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Focus on Infiltration and Security

Addressing the gathering, Shah said illegal infiltrators and Rohingya elements should be removed from the state, describing it as a serious security issue.

He further alleged that several incidents of atrocities against women had taken place during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure. Shah said that under a BJP government, those committing crimes against women would be sent to jail.

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Push for North Bengal Development

Shah said the central government had initiated several development projects in North Bengal. He highlighted the expansion of Vande Bharat train services, said the Sevok-Rangpo railway project was in its final stage, and added that New Jalpaiguri railway station was being modernised.

Notably, Amit Shah had four rallies scheduled in the state on the final day of campaigning before the April 23 first-phase polling. Besides Kurseong, he was set to address meetings in Kulti, Shalbani and Chandipur.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh