Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday promised to make Sunderbans the most advanced region of West Bengal. Mr. Shah addressed a meeting in Gosaba, one of the most backward regions of the State which was devastated by cyclone Amphan on May 20, 2020.
“If voted to power in Bengal, we will spend ₹2 lakh crore on Sunderbans region,” Mr. Shah said adding that the BJP manifesto has promised ₹6,000 per annum to every fisherman. The party had promised to allocate ₹6,500 crore over five years for the complete development in areas devastated by cyclones Aila, Bulbul and Amphan. Located in the southernmost tip of the State, the people of Sunderbans have to grapple with the challenges of a fragile ecosystem, climate change and human-tiger conflict.
Mr. Shah said the BJP will put an end to infiltration in the State. “Not only people we will ensure that not even a bird is able to cross the borders.”
Mr. Shah accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of promoting her nephew and MP Abhishek Banerjee.
“Do you want Goonda Raj in West Bengal,… Mamata didi is trying to make her nephew Chief Minister, while Modiji is tirelessly working for the development of the State,” the Home Minister said.
The Trinamool Congress leadership responded by saying the relentless attacks on Mr. Banerjee are an indication of his growing stature.
Later in the day, the Home Minister held a road show in Paschim Medinipur. BJP president J.P. Nadda also participated in the road show and claimed the support of the people of the State. While parts of Sunderbans, particularly Gosaba, is going to the polls in the second phase on April 1, the areas of Paschim Medinipur will vote in the first phase on March 27.
The BJP is also trying to rope in actor Mithun Chakraborty in the campaign. He joined the BJP at the Prime Minister’s Brigade rally in Kolkata on March 7. According to the party insiders, Mr. Chakraborty will start the campaign from March 25. The actor among many places will campaign at Nandigram — Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari — that is going to the polls on April 1.