Assam CM Criticizes Mamata Banerjee Over Immigration Policies
Political Rally Highlights Immigration Concerns
A file image of Assam CM at an electoral campaign. (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)
Kalchini, Apr 16: During a recent election rally in Alipurduar district, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that the BJP administrations in Assam and Tripura actively prevent infiltration from Bangladesh, contrasting this with the stance of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leader Mamata Banerjee, who he claims "welcomes" such infiltration in West Bengal.
Sarma further alleged that the AITC government is obstructing the construction of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.
He stated, "In Assam and Tripura, the BJP governments do not permit infiltration from Bangladesh, while (CM) Mamata Banerjee welcomes them in Bengal."
The Chief Minister expressed concerns about a demographic shift in West Bengal, attributing it to illegal immigration, and claimed that the Hindu population is decreasing while the number of Bangladeshi Muslims is on the rise.
Sarma confidently predicted that the BJP would achieve a significant victory in the northeastern state, aiming for a "century" in the 126-member assembly when results are announced on May 4.
In a separate rally in Alipurduar, Banerjee accused external influences of attempting to sway the elections, stating, "People from UP, Rajasthan, and Assam are residing in hotels and guest houses with substantial funds to manipulate voters in Bengal," without specifying any particular party or individual.
Earlier, at a rally in Mathabhanga, Cooch Behar district, Banerjee warned against efforts to divide the nation by linking women's reservation and delimitation bills, calling it a conspiracy to erase voters' names and implement the NRC.
The elections for the 294-member West Bengal assembly are scheduled to take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with vote counting set for May 4.