Amit Shah Vows BJP Will Implement Citizenship Amendment Act in India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not allow the Congress or Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee to touch the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India. Addressing a rally in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district on April 25, 2024, Shah said that all Hindu refugees will get citizenship under the new law.

Shah accused Mamata Banerjee of allowing infiltration into the border state and not being able to stop it. He also criticized the Trinamool government over corruption and alleged irregularities in government school staff appointments. The Home Minister promised that the BJP will set up an AIIMS in north Bengal if it returns to power.

In a public meeting in Karandighi, North Dinajpur district, Shah made several key promises and statements. He vowed that the BJP will implement the CAA "at any cost" and that neither the Congress nor the Trinamool Congress can stop them. Shah claimed the BJP will win 30-35 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal and once they achieve this, they will permanently stop infiltration in the state.

The Home Minister linked the BJP's performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bengal to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, appealing to the audience to give the party more seats. He accused Mamata Banerjee of bringing in infiltrators while opposing the conferment of citizenship to religious minorities who have taken refuge in India.

Shah also referred to the Calcutta High Court verdict cancelling the appointments of over 25,000 teachers, alleging corruption by Trinamool leaders. He spoke about alleged atrocities against women in Sandeshkhali and accused Mamata Banerjee of not taking action against the perpetrators.

Why this matters: The Citizenship Amendment Act remains a contentious political issue in India with significant implications for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Amit Shah's strong stance on implementing the CAA and targeting the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal sets the stage for an intense political battle in the state.

In response to Shah's statements, Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP is in "panic mode" after sensing defeat in the first phase of polling and said that she will not allow the implementation of the CAA in West Bengal. With both sides digging in their heels over the controversial law, the CAA is likely to remain a major flashpoint as the election campaign heats up across India.

Key Takeaways

• Amit Shah vows BJP will implement CAA, neither Congress nor TMC can stop them.
• Shah claims BJP will win 30-35 LS seats in WB, permanently stop infiltration.
• Shah accuses TMC of allowing infiltration, corruption in teacher appointments.
• CAA remains a contentious issue, likely to be a major flashpoint in 2024 polls.
• Mamata Banerjee says BJP in "panic mode", vows to not allow CAA implementation in WB.