BJP's next big target is to form govt in West Bengal in 2026: Amit Shah in Kolkata

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 27 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the TMC government in West Bengal of engaging in "state-sponsored infiltration" and declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "next big target" is to form a government in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Speaking at the launch of BJP's membership drive in Kolkata, the Union Home Minister noted that Syama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which has since grown into the world's largest political party.
"We are all proud to be members of the world's largest party. I have faith in the Bengal workers that we will not lag in membership numbers. The party has set a target of one crore members. If we examine the history of political parties today, most are run on caste or family lines. The Bharatiya Janata Party is unique, with a National President and Prime Minister who are ordinary workers, without any other background," Shah stated.
He further emphasised that the BJP's next major goal is to establish a government in West Bengal in 2026.
"In Bengal, state-sponsored infiltration must be stopped. Joining the BJP in Bengal means joining the mission to free the state from the grip of communists and Mamata Didi. This is a border state, and with the way infiltration is being supported at a state level, there is only one solution: a BJP government in 2026. To combat cow and coal smuggling, we need to enlist one crore BJP members in West Bengal," he added.
Shah also criticised the Mamata government over the RG Kar rape-murder case on August 9, stating that the safety of women is at risk in Bengal.
"The dignity of mothers and sisters is being violated in Bengal. Incidents like Sandeshkhali and RG Kar must be stopped, which will only happen if the BJP forms a government in 2026. In 2026, we will secure a two-thirds majority in West Bengal," he asserted.
Amit Shah also criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlighting that from 2004 to 2014, the UPA government allocated Rs 2.9 lakh crore to Bengal, while from 2014 to 2024, the NDA government provided Rs 7.74 lakh crore.
"(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee claims that Modi ji does not provide funds to Bengal. Today, I want to ask Mamata Didi: over the past 10 years, how much did the INDI alliance allocate to Bengal? From 2004 to 2014, the UPA government provided Rs 2.9 lakh crore, and from 2014 to 2024, the NDA government has given Rs 7.74 lakh crore," Shah remarked.
Commenting on the BJP's membership drive, BJP leader Roopa Ganguly mentioned that actor Mithun Chakraborty was also honoured at the event.
"As per BJP rules, a membership drive is conducted in each state every few years. Today, Amit Shah ji has officially launched this programme in West Bengal, and Mithun Chakraborty was honoured as part of it," Roopa Ganguly shared.
Following the membership drive, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh expressed confidence that the workers would engage fully, helping the party reach its one-crore membership target.
"Last time, we enrolled over 88 lakh members. Today, the party has grown with more MPs and MLAs. We aim to surpass one crore members. With around seven crore votes in Bengal and 2.33 crore votes from the Lok Sabha, we are setting this goal. I believe our workers will take up this challenge and achieve it. We won't stop until it's accomplished," Dilip Ghosh affirmed.
In addition to the membership drive, the Union Home Minister inaugurated the Passenger Terminal building and the Maitri Dwar at Land Port, Petrapole, in West Bengal on Sunday.
Petrapole Land Port, the largest in South Asia, serves as a crucial trade and commerce gateway between India and Bangladesh. The Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh) crossing is one of the primary land borders for trade and passenger movement between the two countries.
The Maitri Dwar, a joint cargo gate at the zero line, was established through a bilateral agreement. Amit Shah laid its foundation stone on May 9, 2023. (ANI)