PM Modi Targets TMC Over Infiltration, Raises National Security Concerns in West Bengal

As West Bengal moves closer to the 2026 Assembly elections, the political narrative has increasingly shifted toward issues of national security and governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mounted a sharp offensive against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing it of enabling illegal infiltration from across the border and thereby endangering both the state and the nation. Addressing public rallies in Singur and Malda, the Prime Minister framed infiltration as a grave threat that goes beyond electoral politics and directly impacts India’s sovereignty, law and order, and social stability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday targeted West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the second consecutive day (PTI) | Hindustan Times

Allegations of Vote Bank Politics and Border Negligence

Prime Minister Modi alleged that the TMC has extended protection and support to infiltrators for electoral gains, claiming that such individuals are being shielded to preserve a political vote bank. He asserted that this approach has weakened border security in a sensitive frontier state like West Bengal. According to him, repeated requests by the central government for land to complete border fencing along the India-Bangladesh boundary have remained unaddressed, hampering efforts to curb illegal crossings. He warned that the continued presence of individuals living on forged or illegal documentation poses serious risks to public safety and national security.

Infiltration and Its Broader Impact on Society

Expanding on the issue, the Prime Minister linked infiltration to wider socio-economic and cultural consequences. He argued that unchecked illegal migration places pressure on local employment, disrupts demographic balance, and contributes to rising crime and insecurity in border districts. Drawing comparisons with global practices, he maintained that countries across the world take firm action against illegal migration, and India must do the same to protect its citizens and resources. Modiji also reassured genuine refugees and long-settled communities that lawful citizens have nothing to fear, stressing that action would be taken only against those residing illegally.

Governance, Law and Order, and Development Narrative

Beyond infiltration, the Prime Minister launched a broader critique of the TMC government’s record, describing the prevailing situation in West Bengal as “maha jungle raj.” He pointed to incidents of violence, corruption, and administrative inefficiency as signs of governance failure. Modiji contrasted this with what he described as the development-oriented model of BJP-ruled states, highlighting central infrastructure initiatives, railway modernization, and welfare schemes. He claimed that several central programs related to healthcare, fisheries, and social security have either been delayed or obstructed due to the state government’s lack of cooperation.

TMC’s Rebuttal and Counter-Narrative

The Trinamool Congress has firmly rejected the Prime Minister’s allegations, calling them politically motivated and misleading. TMC leaders argue that claims of large-scale infiltration are exaggerated and unsupported by conclusive evidence. They maintain that discrepancies in voter lists are often the result of migration, deaths, or administrative lapses rather than illegal immigration. The party has also accused the BJP-led Centre of withholding funds meant for West Bengal and attempting to divert attention from economic issues, employment concerns, and welfare delivery by invoking national security rhetoric.

High Stakes Ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections

With national security, identity, and governance emerging as central themes, the political battle in West Bengal is intensifying. The BJP is positioning infiltration and law and order as defining election issues, while the TMC continues to defend its governance record and accuse the Centre of politicising sensitive matters. As campaigning gathers momentum, voters are likely to witness a sharply polarised contest where security concerns, development promises, and questions of federal cooperation dominate public debate.

The MGMM Outlook

As West Bengal heads toward the 2026 Assembly elections, the growing focus on infiltration and border security reflects deeper concerns about governance and national interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks in Singur and Malda have brought the issue into sharp political focus, highlighting how illegal infiltration is no longer a marginal concern but one that directly affects sovereignty, law and order, and social stability. The repeated emphasis on stalled border fencing and the alleged protection of infiltrators underscores the seriousness of administrative lapses in a sensitive border state, where security challenges have long-term implications for both local communities and the nation at large.

Beyond security, the infiltration debate also exposes broader governance failures under the current state administration. Unchecked illegal migration is linked to pressure on jobs, demographic imbalance, and rising insecurity in border districts, while delays in implementing central welfare and infrastructure schemes point to strained Centre–State cooperation. The contrast drawn between development-driven governance models and what has been described as an environment of violence, corruption, and administrative breakdown sharpens the political divide. As these issues dominate public discourse, the narrative increasingly revolves around accountability, rule of law, and whether governance choices are being shaped by long-term national priorities or short-term political calculations.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, Moneycontrol, Business Today)