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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday declared that infiltration and cattle smuggling would become 'impossible' in West Bengal under the new BJP government, following the party's victory in the state assembly elections. Addressing BJP MLAs in Kolkata, Shah named Suvendu Adhikari as the leader of the BJP legislature party and the party's chief ministerial face, formalizing the leadership ahead of government formation.
Shah framed the BJP's win as a national security milestone, stating it would close a critical vulnerability along India's eastern border. He said the party would identify and remove all infiltrators, rejecting criticism of polarization and asserting the move was essential for sovereignty. The victory ends the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule and brings the BJP to power in its 21st state.
Invoking Syama Prasad Mookerjee's legacy, Shah linked the win to the ideological roots of the Jana Sangh and claimed the BJP now governs from 'Gangotri to Gangasagar'. He accused the previous TMC regime of politicizing administration, enabling criminal networks, and obstructing central development schemes. Shah promised a 'double-engine government' to accelerate growth, restore governance, and end electoral violence.
The home minister also highlighted the election of women legislators from marginalized regions, including Sandeshkhali, as proof of inclusive outreach. He dismissed opposition allegations on EVMs as excuses for electoral defeat and asserted that eastern India, now under BJP rule in Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and West Bengal, was poised for integrated development.
The BJP will convene the newly elected MLAs for the swearing-in of the chief minister and council of ministers in the coming days, with official announcements expected from the Governor's office shortly.