Ranaghat/Tehatta (WB), Apr 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said if the BJP is voted to power in West Bengal, it would set up a special squad to curb cattle smuggling and end “goonda raj” and “syndicate raj” in the state.
Addressing election rallies at Tehatta and Ranaghat in Nadia district, Shah alleged that successive Congress governments and the TMC under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had adopted a soft approach towards terrorism, claiming that “terrorists were served biryani” during their rule.
Speaking in Ranaghat, Shah alleged that most of the cattle smuggling takes place through Nadia district.
“Cattle smuggling has been the highest in this district. It has happened in such a manner that it will take 71 years for Mamata Banerjee to wash off her sins. After forming the government in West Bengal, we will form a special squad to stop the menace,” he said.
“During the rule of the Congress and Mamata Banerjee governments, terrorists were being fed biryani. After Narendra Modi became prime minister, India answered terror attacks with surgical strikes and air strikes,” Shah said.
“In 2014, when the Modi government came to power, an attack took place in Uri, and we carried out a surgical strike; in Pulwama, we conducted an airstrike; and in Pahalgam, we went inside and carried out Operation Sindoor. Modi has freed this country from terrorism and Naxalism,” he added.
Shah also accused Banerjee of allowing infiltration and alleged that illegal migrants had been accommodated in the state for political reasons.
He said a BJP government would identify infiltrators in the state and take action against them.
“These infiltrators are a threat to national security. After May 5, we will identify them one by one and take action,” Shah said.
Shah accused Banerjee of protecting criminal elements and said a BJP government in the state would deal firmly with those involved in violence and intimidation.
Addressing the rallies, Shah said criminals had created fear in several parts of the state through bomb attacks and political intimidation, and alleged that the ruling dispensation had failed to act against them.
Referring to incidents in Sandeshkhali, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a law college in south Kolkata and a medical college in Durgapur, Shah said such episodes reflected what he described as a deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
He alleged that Banerjee had objected to his remarks on taking strict action against criminals, and said the BJP would not protect those accused of terrorising ordinary people.
“Banerjee is protesting against me for saying I will set right the goons by hanging them upside down. What should be done then? Should we embrace them? They intimidate people using bombs. Incidents at Sandeshkhali, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a south Kolkata law college and a medical college in Durgapur are indicators of this. If you are so fond of them, keep them at your home and feed them ‘aloo posto’, but I will put them in jail,” Shah said.
Shah said if the BJP is voted to power in the state, it would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), end polygamy and enforce the ban on triple talaq.
The Union home minister also took a swipe at Banerjee for saying that women should not be coming out of homes after 7 pm.
“You vote BJP to power, and I promise you that after May 5, even a small child will be able to come out of her house at 2 in the night without any fear,” he said.
He further alleged that the names of some members of the Matua and Namasudra communities had been removed from the voters’ list and said a BJP government would ensure that genuine voters from those communities were restored to the rolls.
Shah said the BJP had already gained a decisive lead in the first phase of polling held on April 23.
“The BJP has already crossed 110 seats in the first phase itself,” Shah claimed, further adding that lawlessness in the state would end if the party came to power.
“There will be an end to ‘goonda raj’ and ‘syndicate raj’ in Bengal if the BJP forms the government. Do not be afraid to come out and vote. The Election Commission has made adequate security arrangements, and nobody will be able to prevent you from casting your vote. Each booth has got CAPF, and in the first phase, not a single goonda of Banerjee could come out from their hiding,” he said.
Shah promised that women and unemployed youth would get a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 and said women would also get free rides in all state transport vehicles after the BJP assumes power in the state.
“Churni River here is so polluted that fish cannot survive. Our party will cleanse and make it pure again,” he said.
Churni river flows through Nadia district before joining the Hooghly, sustaining thousands of livelihoods even as it faces growing environmental stress from industrial pollution and declining water flow.
Polling in parts of Nadia district will be held in the second phase on April 29.
Later, Shah attended a roadshow in Barasat in support of party candidates. (PTI)
