"West Bengal is not a political battle for us ... It's a civilisational battle. To save India we have to win Bengal," --- said B L Santhosh, BJP general secretary in-charge Organisation.
He also said : "To save India from a big demographic challenge...we want to win Bengal".
For all obvious reasons -- the battle of Bengal will draw nationwide and somewhat even a keen international attention.
As Santhosh said - West Bengal poses a serious demographic challenge.
Muslim appeasement has reached its peak and today threatens to change the dynamics. There are multiple facets in the game - wheels-within-wheels.
The state has a track record of poll-related violence. One of the key concerns remains whether 'genuine voters' will exercise their franchise.
A few other areas of concern include -- if the electoral process will unfold peacefully.
Prior to that -- many may ask in the state's political landscape -- can the SIR exercise be completed in a right manner and spirit. Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari (a former lieutenant of Mamata Banerjee; says "If SIR is not carried out properly up to the satisfaction of the Election Commission; we will ensure that no election would be conducted".
This effectively means -- if polls are not held by March-April ... at the end of five-year term; under the law President's Rule will have to be imposed. This will automatically mark the end of Mamata's days in office.
BJP's Chanakya in poll-management Amit Shah has already pulled up sleeves and has started traveling the state.
“If we come to power in West Bengal in 2026, our first task will not only be to prevent illegal infiltration but also to drive away the illegal infiltrators who are staying inside the state currently,” the Union Home Minister said at a media interaction on Dec 30th.
He also said: “I want to ask Mamata Banerjee whether there is any other state government in the country that resists raising barbed fencing at the international borders with Bangladesh.
The problem of illegal infiltration taking place in West Bengal is currently not just the problem of the state; rather, it has become a national problem".
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The Lotus party has changed their election campaign strategies.
There is no attack on Mamata Banerjee personally this time ... unlike 2021 ... when even PM Narendra Modi threw up 'Didi, Oh Didi' pointed remarks. But these had apparently boomeranged or in other words; personality-based attack on Mamata ultimately helped Trinamool Congress.
For BJP ... 2026 poll issues will be - Infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims, Job, Industrialisation and Infra developments.
The table is turned in some ways. In fact, Mamata Banerjee is getting nervous and hence tried to be personal.
She even addressed Amit Shah as 'Dushashan' (from Mahabharat) and even suggested that PM Narendra Modi is like 'uncle Shakuni.
Known for transforming herself as 'aapa' (Didi for Bengali Muslims) - for pursuing blatant pro-Muslim politics; she is now talking about temples. Shah has countered her well stating - her love for Hindus and Hindu deities have come far 'late' in the day.
Other issued flagged off by Amit Shah are :
* From chit fund scams to school-job scandals
** From coal to cattle smuggling
Several ministers in the state have been jailed because of their involvement in corruption.
Shah also pointed out that the safety of the women in West Bengal has hit rock bottom.
"Be it at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital or South Kolkata Law College, or Sandeshkhali, the women of West Bengal are not safe anywhere. Mamata Banerjee owes an explanation to the people of the state on these issues,” the Union Home Minister said.
He also said West Bengal is of prime importance to the BJP, as the founder of the party, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, was from this state.
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For the first time in many years, the once largely consolidated Muslim electorate appears poised for fragmentation.
This will potentially harm Mamata and reshape the state’s political landscape.
This fresh political churn has been set in motion by suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir, who recently launched the Janata Unnayan Party. He also laid the foundation stone laying ceremony of a Babri Masjid in Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district.
Even on this Shah maintained a strategic distance from usual rhetoric. He did not want that issues BJP wants to take to the people get diluted in unnecessary polarisation debate.
This is because polarisation politics also actually come to the aid of TMC. Hence he gave an evasive reply : "Who is doing this politics of Mandir and Masjid... One person who is doing so is a leader who was in Trinamool Congress.
"And the other side who is doing this is Trinamool Congress. So your question is correct but you are addressing it at the wrong person".
This is a subtle master stroke.
Among other issues Shah said about 7000 private entrepreneurs and industries have left West Bengal.
The Home Minister also said prior to the Communist and Trinamool Congress (TMC) governments, when the national average income was Rs 100, the per capita income in West Bengal was Rs 127.
This meant Bengal's per capita income was 127% of the national average.
In December 2025, that figure has now allegedly fallen to just Rs 73 relative to the national Rs 100.
Hence, West Bengal's current per capita income is below the national average.
As of the 2020-21 data, West Bengal's per capita GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) was Rs 121,267 (equivalent to approximately $1,400 USD), ranking 20th in India.
A report from late 2025 suggested West Bengal had an average monthly salary of Rs 20,210, which some outlets claimed was the highest in India at that time.
ends
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