Amit Shah Targets 2026 Elections for BJP: Pledges to Combat Corruption and Address Women's Issues

Home minister gives homework to party: one crore members in Bengal and ousting Mamata govt

Amit Shah at Petrapole on Sunday

Snehamoy Chakraborty, TT, Calcutta, 28.10.24 :  Union home minister Amit Shah, here on Sunday, said the BJP's next major goal was to ascend to power in Bengal with a two-thirds majority in the 2026 Assembly polls to put an end to "corruption" and address "atrocities" against women in the state.

"I have come here to tell my BJP workers that if there is any next big goal for the BJP, it is to form a government in Bengal in 2026. Don’t be intimidated by the torture, violence and crimes committed by the Trinamool Congress. The BJP has ousted many such oppressive parties from power...," Shah told party workers during the launch of the party's membership drive in Bengal.

The Bengal BJP is aiming for one crore memberships this year.

"I want to ensure that the sacrifices of our party workers do not go in vain and that the party ascends to power here under the leadership of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-ji. The BJP will form a government in 2026 in Bengal with a two-thirds majority," Shah said in his 30-minute speech at the EZCC.

He criticised chief minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged corruption, misuse of government funds and atrocities against women.

He also trained his guns on the Mamata government at an event in Petrapole to inaugurate a modern passenger terminal and a Maitree Dwar (friendship gate).

"In Bengal, women, mothers, and sisters are in crisis, be it in Sandeshkhali or RG Kar. The only way to stop this is to bring the BJP to power," said the home minister. "I appeal to the youth of Bengal: if you want to end state-sponsored infiltration, ensure a BJP government in 2026. If you want to stop cattle and coal smuggling, and corruption in health services, bring the BJP to power."

However, Shah did not comment on the bypolls to six Assembly segments on November 13.

In a bid to debunk Mamata's claim of central deprivation, Shah countered that the UPA government gave Bengal "₹15,000 crore", while "Modiji gave you ₹54,000 crore in MGNREGA funds". He alleged that the money "was taken by syndicates".