Ranaghat MP Jagannath Sarkar from the BJP has sparked controversy by stating that the barbed-wire fence between India and Bangladesh would not be needed if his party came to power in West Bengal. In a video from October 30, he told party workers in Krishnaganj that both nations would become one again. After the video went viral, Sarkar clarified on Sunday that he meant West Bengal's future prosperity under BJP rule would attract Bangladesh economically. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee criticized the BJP leadership for remaining silent and accused them of hypocrisy while blaming the state government for border issues. The remark puts the BJP in a difficult position as it tries to balance its anti-infiltration stance with the need to reassure the Matua community, which is uneasy about electoral roll revisions and fears of the National Register of Citizens.
MP Defends Statement, Cites Development Vision
Sarkar reiterated his position, explaining that once the BJP governs West Bengal, the state would become 'Shonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal) again with significant development and prosperity. He argued that Bangladesh, sharing the same language and culture, would economically lag behind and wish to join India to benefit from growth. He claimed there would be no need for border fencing in such a scenario. Sarkar also accused the TMC and Left parties of falsely portraying the BJP as anti-Muslim, preventing the party from winning Muslim votes. He pointed to Gujarat's Muslim population benefiting under BJP rule as evidence of the party's inclusive development approach.
BJP Faces Political Dilemma Over Border Issue
The statement highlights the BJP's tightrope walk in West Bengal as state elections approach. While Sarkar aimed to reassure the Matua community worried about the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and potential NRC implementation, his words contradict the party's strong anti-infiltration narrative. The BJP has repeatedly raised infiltration concerns from Bangladesh, using it as an electoral issue in Jharkhand and now in Bihar's Seemanchal region. However, the party must avoid alienating the Matuas, whose support helped secure 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. BJP leaders remained silent on Sarkar's remarks, with senior party figures expected to address the matter.
Source: Link