Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has triggered a political controversy after making strong allegations about West Bengal’s security situation ahead of the state assembly elections. Speaking to a news agency on the eve of the first phase of polling, he claimed that some Muslim-majority districts in the state have allegedly become “safe zones” for terrorist activity and that “ISI assets and training camps” are present in those areas.
Deb also claimed that there has been a demographic shift in West Bengal over the decades. “In 1951, there were 19 per cent Muslims in the state, today the percentage has increased to 29 per cent while the Hindu population has gone down,” he said. He linked this change to what he described as concerns over law and order and national security, although he did not provide detailed evidence for his claims.
He further alleged, “In many districts, Muslims are in the majority. ISI assets and training camps are found in those areas and even the headquarters of many Muslim organisations involved in anti-national activities are located there.” Deb also claimed that identity documents recovered from arrested militants in other parts of India sometimes trace back to West Bengal, saying, “Whenever a terrorist is caught in Jammu and Kashmir, the identity documents show links to Kanthi or 24 Parganas in Bengal.”
BJP Pushes UCC Demand and Security Narrative
Deb also used the platform to demand the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in West Bengal. He said such a law was necessary for ensuring equality and legal uniformity across communities. According to him, “People of Bengal do not want terrorism or unsafe zones in their state.”
His remarks come at a time when the BJP is aggressively campaigning in West Bengal, focusing on issues such as national security, governance, and demographic changes. Political observers say these themes are being used to consolidate support among voters in a highly competitive election environment.
Attack on Mamata Banerjee and Opposition Parties
The BJP leader also targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of electoral defeat claims manipulation and political bias. Referring to the 2021 assembly elections, he said, “Mamata Banerjee was actually rejected by the people in 2021 when she lost in Nandigram.”
He also responded to Banerjee’s criticism of the BJP as “outsiders,” saying such statements ignore Bengal’s historical identity. “Does that mean Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose are outsiders? Who really belongs to Bengal then?” he asked.
Deb further accused both the Trinamool Congress and the Congress of dynastic politics. He alleged, “Both Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee follow politics of personal interest.” He also claimed that the Chief Minister’s decisions are influenced by her nephew and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, saying, “People are forced to follow what is decided by her family.”
BJP Confident of Victory in Bengal
Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, Deb said the BJP is in a strong position to win. “It is no longer a question of whether BJP will come to power. It is confirmed that BJP will form the government in Bengal,” he said.
