Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Credit: PTI Photo
Kolkata: Asserting that peace can be established in West Bengal only when cross-border infiltration stops, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday exhorted the people of the state to bring in change in the 2026 assembly elections.
Inaugurating a new passenger terminal building and a cargo gate 'Maitri Dwar' at Petrapole land port in the state, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the development of West Bengal.
"Bring in change in West Bengal in 2026. (We) will put an end to infiltration and ensure peace in the state", Shah said.
He also said, “In establishing peace in the region, land ports play an important role. When there is no scope for the legal movement of people across the border, illegal modes of movement arise, which impacts the peace of the country...There can be peace in Bengal only when infiltration stops."
Land ports play an important role in improving connectivity and relations among neighbouring countries, Shah said.
These facilities also enhance trade relations among neighbouring countries, he said.
Shah said the prime minister started many initiatives across sectors like health since the NDA came to power in 2014.
"But the people of Bengal are deprived of the benefits given in the health sector. This deprivation will cease from 2026," he claimed.
He slammed the TMC government in the state over the issue of "corruption".
Shah alleged that a major portion of the funds sent by the Centre to West Bengal was "usurped due to corruption" in the state.
"Acche Din in West Bengal will start from 2026", he exclaimed.
"Compare to what the UPA had given to West Bengal during its rule with the ten years of the NDA since 2014. During the UPA regime, the state had got Rs 15,000 crore under MGNREGA but this had gone up to Rs 54,000 crore during the NDA rule. More funds are being given to the state by the NDA under schemes like PMGSY and PMAY among others," Shah said.
Instead of going to the beneficiaries, the "money goes to the TMC leaders", he alleged.
Talking about the modernised land port station at Petrapole in West Bengal, Shah said that the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) has taken steps to improve ties with neighbours of the country.
"Under the prime minister's leadership, the four Ps (prosperity, peace, partnership and progress) are given importance across the borders. This modernised land port will start a new era of friendship and also stop smuggling. More than 70 per cent of the border trade between India and Bangladesh takes place through Petrapole", he said.
The land port at Petrapole is the largest such facility in South Asia and a vital gateway for trade and commerce between the two countries.
In 2023-24, the volume of cross-border trade touched Rs 30,500 crore and 24 lakh people have crossed the border from either side, Shah said.
"Improved transportation will increase trade. People-to-people contact will also increase and LPAI is working towards that. Immigration, customs and border security have been brought under one roof," he said, adding that 23 new land ports will also be set up across the country.