Matua Vote Row: Shah Assures, TMC Calls BJP Divisive
Kolkata, Dec 31: Even as December chill grips West Bengal, the political temperature rose sharply on Tuesday as the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) locked horns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleged infiltration, and the voting rights of Matua community members.
The sharp exchange followed assurances by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to refugee voters and a strong counter-attack by Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, highlighting deepening fault lines ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Shah reassures Matuas, issues directions to Bengal BJP
During a visit to Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured members of the Matua community that their voting rights would remain intact, particularly for those who have applied for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Addressing a press conference, Shah sought to dispel fears allegedly being fuelled by the Trinamool Congress amid the ongoing SIR process in the state.
Later, in a closed-door meeting with the BJP’s core leadership in West Bengal, Shah reportedly instructed party leaders to actively counter what he described as misinformation campaigns aimed at creating panic among Matua voters, IANS reported.
According to a senior BJP state committee member, Shah also stressed the need for regular outreach programmes to engage with the Matua community, reassure them about their electoral rights, and address concerns related to citizenship formalities.
The Home Minister further assured party leaders that he would personally review issues linked to CAA applications.
Besides the Matua issue, Shah is said to have asked the state leadership to rebut claims by the CPIM-led Left Front and sections of the Congress alleging a tacit understanding between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. He also directed the party to step up preparations for the Assembly elections, with indications that polling could be held as early as April next year.
The Matua community, largely comprising refugees from Bangladesh, has a significant presence in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts and is considered electorally crucial in the state.
Abhishek launches sharp attack on Home Minister
Reacting strongly to Amit Shah’s remarks on infiltration and electoral issues, Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee launched a blistering attack on the Union Home Minister, branding him as the “most unsuccessful Home Minister since Independence.”
Speaking to the media at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport before leaving for Delhi to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee accused Shah of failing to ensure national and border security.
He cited recent terror incidents and pointed out that agencies like the Border Security Force and Delhi Police function under the Union Home Ministry.
According to an IANS report, Banerjee also referred to controversial remarks made by BJP MPs from West Bengal, including statements questioning Shah’s credentials and comments on international borders.
He alleged that despite such remarks, the BJP leadership had not taken disciplinary action against its own leaders.
Questioning Shah’s assurances to the Matua community, the Trinamool leader accused the BJP of adopting a contradictory and divisive stance.
He highlighted statements by BJP MP Shantanu Thakur, claiming that deletion of Matua names from electoral rolls would not matter, and said such remarks exposed the BJP’s “double standards” on the issue.
Political battle intensifies ahead of polls
With the SIR process underway and the Assembly elections drawing closer, the clash between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over voter rights, citizenship, and security issues is expected to intensify.
The Matua community, infiltration claims, and electoral roll revisions are emerging as central themes in a high-stakes political contest that is likely to shape West Bengal’s political narrative in the coming months.