BJP Faces Backlash Over Comments on Illegal Immigrants in West Bengal

BJP's Attempt to Mitigate Fallout from Controversial Remarks

The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making efforts to address the backlash from the Matua community following remarks made by central leader Lal Singh Arya regarding 'illegal Bangladeshis' and voter eligibility.

Arya's comments have provided the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) with a new opportunity to politically attack the main opposition party in the state. The controversy erupted when Arya, who is the national president of the BJP's Scheduled Caste Front, stated at a press conference that anyone who illegally enters India from Bangladesh should not be included in the voter list.

During the press briefing at the party's state headquarters, Arya remarked, 'Anyone who has come illegally from Bangladesh, regardless of their caste or religion, should not be on the voter list.'

His statements came amid rising concerns in refugee-dense areas regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, with fears among certain segments of the Matua community about their names being removed before elections.

BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya publicly distanced the party from Arya's comments, labeling them as personal opinions. He emphasized that Arya's remarks do not reflect the official stance of the party.

Bhattacharya stated to a news agency, 'The party does not support Arya's statement. This is not the official position of the BJP, and we do not endorse his comments.' He also mentioned that such individuals are not welcome to address the media on behalf of the Bengal BJP.

The state unit has informed the central leadership that such leaders should not be sent to Bengal for media engagements. In a rare instance of defiance against a central official, the BJP's West Bengal unit even removed the video link of Arya's press conference from its official social media accounts.

Arya had addressed journalists alongside state leaders. A party official noted that the central leadership has assured clear support to the Matua and Namashudra communities, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly stated during his recent visit to Kolkata that refugees need not fear.

Discontent within the party regarding Arya's remarks was evident. BJP leader Sajal Ghosh openly disagreed with Arya, asserting that refugees from Bangladesh should not be automatically labeled as illegal.

Ghosh stated, 'We do not consider every person coming from Bangladesh as illegal. Hindu refugees are refugees, not infiltrators, and the government's declared policy is to grant citizenship to eligible non-Muslims.'

The Trinamool Congress responded swiftly to the issue. Party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty mocked the BJP, questioning whether its state leaders had the courage to challenge the central leadership.

Chakraborty remarked, 'This is the true face of the BJP. Their target is the Bengali people, and the Matua community will suffer the most.' He indicated that the ruling party would leverage Arya's comments during its campaign in Matua-dominated areas. Political analysts suggest that this incident has placed the Bengal BJP in a challenging position.