BJP Plans to Implement Assam's Deportation Model in West Bengal

As West Bengal gears up for elections, the BJP has unveiled plans to implement Assam's controversial 'detect, delete, and deport' strategy to expel alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators. Party leader Nitin Nabin claims this approach will safeguard the rights of local citizens. Amid ongoing voter deletions and citizenship verification issues, the BJP also promises cultural changes, including renaming Islampur. This article delves into the implications of these strategies and the political landscape as the elections approach.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 3, 2026, 12:25 IST

BJP's Strategy for West Bengal Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced intentions to adopt Assam's 'detect, delete, and deport' strategy to remove 'Bangladeshi infiltrators' from West Bengal if they secure victory in the upcoming elections, as stated by party leader Nitin Nabin on Monday.

Nabin highlighted the process of identifying suspected undocumented immigrants, removing their names from voter lists, and facilitating their deportation.

This announcement comes as West Bengal prepares for its Assembly elections, anticipated to occur in April or May.

During a rally in Islampur, located in Malda district, Nabin asserted that this model would be enforced wherever foreign nationals infringe upon the rights of local citizens.

He pointed to the recent voter deletions in West Bengal, claiming that the Election Commission had stripped voting rights from over 50 lakh alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators.

On Saturday, the Election Commission released the electoral roll for West Bengal, revealing the exclusion of more than 61 lakh voters.

However, the process is ongoing, with approximately 60 lakh cases still pending adjudication due to objections regarding their removal from the draft rolls published in December.

Nabin remarked that if the names of 50 lakh Bangladeshis had not been removed by the Election Commission, the Centre's welfare initiatives would have inadvertently benefited these infiltrators.

Concerns Over Citizenship Verification

Nabin's comments come amid reports of police in BJP-ruled states detaining Bengali-speaking individuals, primarily Muslims, and demanding proof of their Indian citizenship since April 2025.

Some individuals have reportedly been forced into Bangladesh after failing to establish their citizenship. In certain instances, those mistakenly deported have returned to India after authorities confirmed their nationality.

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently asserted the government's commitment to achieving an 'infiltration-free' state, claiming that around 35 to 40 illegal immigrants are sent back weekly.

On February 11, Sarma stated that lakhs of 'doubtful voters' had been removed from Assam during a special revision of the electoral rolls, with many deletions occurring based on complaints from BJP workers.

The Election Commission conducted a special intensive revision of voter lists across 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal. Assam underwent a similar revision process, which is standard for updating electoral rolls.

Sarma previously indicated that four to five lakh 'Miya' voters would be removed during the revision, asserting that the BJP government had taken steps to prevent them from voting.

Critics have accused Sarma of openly expressing the government's intent to target the 'Miya' community, which refers to undocumented immigrants, particularly Muslims of Bengali descent.

BJP's Cultural Promises

At the rally, Nabin also declared that the BJP would rename Islampur to 'Ishwarpur' if they come to power, citing the area's historical significance linked to notable figures like Thakur Panchanan Barma and Lakshman Sen.

He criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly deceiving the people of West Bengal through appeasement politics.

Nabin claimed that while permission is required to celebrate the Hindu festival of Kali Puja, Banerjee has allowed namaz to be offered on public roads at any time.