West Bengal elections: Amit Shah vows sealed borders, warns infiltrators and ‘goons’ as poll battle intensifies

Kolkata: Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that after coming to power, the borders will be protected in such a manner, forget infiltrators, even a bird will not be able to cross the fences. Shah also gave a stern warning to mafias, goons over alleged post-poll-violence on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23.

"Weeding out illegal infiltrators from West Bengal is our priority. They have deliberately kept the international borders with Bangladesh unfenced and open. Those open borders will be sealed through the erection of barbed fencing there within 45 days, Shah said while addressing a campaign rally at Chandipur in Purba Midnapore district on Tuesday afternoon.

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Addressing an election rally at Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district, Shah said the West Bengal assembly polls this time were about "freeing Bengal from infiltrators".

Shah accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of seeking to "protect infiltrators" and alleged that her "associate" Humayun Kabir wants to build a Babri Masjid in West Bengal, which the BJP would not allow.

Shah on Tuesday gave a stern warning to mafias, goons over alleged post-poll violence on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the first phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23. Shah also assured that the permanent political solution of the Gorkha issue will be achieved once Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power in West Bengal.

"Six months after the formation of the government in West Bengal, every Gorkha will have a smile on his face. We will find such a solution to the Gorkha issue that Gorkhas can live in peace," he said.

"All Trinamool goons and miscreants must keep their ears wide open. If you create trouble for any citizen, after May 5, we will turn you upside down and set you straight. Don't try to interfere with the people of hills on April 23, otherwise after May 5, you will be behind jail bars," he said.

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Shah also told Mamata Banerjee that her dreams to make her nephew as the Chief Minister, will never become reality.

Union Home Minister, while addressing a campaign rally at Sukna in Kurseong, said, "Congress or Trinamool Congress, they have deprived Gorkha brothers for a long time. I had been coming to the hills for the last nine years. I will announce a solution to the long-standing issue. That solution will be according to the desire of our Gorkha brothers."