Amidst the corridors of Kolkata, Dilip Ghosh, a senior figure within the BJP, voices his apprehensions regarding West Bengal’s precarious state under the TMC’s governance. He perceives the region as a ticking temporal mechanism, fraught with potential dangers, urging for decisive action from security apparatuses and central authorities to conduct precision interventions against subversive activities prevalent along the borders.
In dialogue with PTI, Ghosh articulates his deep-seated concerns regarding the intricate web of financial malfeasance and clandestine militant networks that have taken root within the state. He anticipates a surge in operational vigils conducted by federal agencies post-election. “West Bengal, a contiguous state, finds itself grappling not just with law enforcement breakdowns but also with incidents that pose significant threats to national integrity. The unearthing of clandestine bomb fabrication facilities and insurgent networks signals Bengal’s metamorphosis into a sanctuary for infiltrators and anti-state elements,” he asserts.
Emphasizing a notable demographic flux along the border regions, allegedly catalyzed by the TMC’s policy of appeasement, Ghosh posits that the Trinamool regime’s lack of governance has jeopardized national security. The erstwhile BJP state president asserts, “A network of anti-national forces has entrenched itself in West Bengal, spanning across both militant cells and corruption scandals.”
He accuses the TMC administration of fostering environments akin to Sandeshkhali and Bhoopatinagar, where nefarious elements operate with impunity. Ghosh paints a grim picture, suggesting the state teeters on the brink of upheaval, necessitating preemptive strikes by security agencies to avert crisis.
Recent allegations of sexual misconduct implicating TMC functionaries in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, and the assault on ED officials by a mob in January underscore the volatile environment. Likewise, an NIA team faced resistance in Bhoopatinagar, Purba Medinipur district, during attempts to apprehend suspects linked to a 2022 bombing incident. Ghosh lambasts the state police and CID for allegedly orchestrating biased investigations to obfuscate these issues.
Drawing parallels between Sandeshkhali, Bhoopatinagar, and broader TMC policies, Ghosh accuses the ruling party of jeopardizing national security interests. He emphasizes the BJP’s mandate to safeguard the state against such threats.
Post-election, Ghosh predicts heightened scrutiny from central agencies, poised to unravel conspiracies against national interests. Inquiring into the TMC’s resistance towards implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Ghosh contends the legislation’s potential to delineate between citizens and non-citizens.
He asserts the CAA’s capacity to not only consolidate the Hindu electorate in Bengal but also bolster the BJP’s electoral prospects. The CAA, ratified on March 13, extends Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived before December 31, 2014.
Reflecting on anti-CAA protests in 2019, Ghosh alleges their orchestration by infiltrators aligned with the TMC. He denounces the ensuing violence and asserts the encroachment of non-indigenous elements on local resources and employment opportunities.
Addressing speculations surrounding a potential National Register of Citizens (NRC), Ghosh cites Assam’s precedent, where the NRC was implemented pursuant to the Assam Accord and judicial directives. He posits the possibility of NRC implementation contingent upon judicial intervention.
Confident in his electoral prospects, Ghosh, representing the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency, reaffirms his commitment to the party’s cause. He acknowledges the infusion of leadership from other political affiliations into the BJP’s Bengal unit, attributing it to the party’s evolutionary phase in the state.
Despite his penchant for controversy, epitomized by recent remarks disparaging Mamata Banerjee’s lineage, Ghosh remains steadfast in his commitment to forthright discourse, underscoring the imperative of candid communication in politics.