Durgapur, West Bengal July 18, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a high-profile rally in Durgapur, issued a strong warning to illegal entrants, stating that “anyone who is not a citizen of India and has entered the country illegally will continue to face legal action as per the Constitution”. The statement comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, where issues of infiltration and regional identity have taken center stage ahead of the 2026 state elections.
Modi’s remarks were part of a broader critique of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which he accused of facilitating infiltration and undermining Bengali pride. He asserted that the BJP is the only party committed to protecting “Bengali ashmita” (pride) and ensuring the state’s youth are not forced to migrate for employment.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the BJP’s development agenda, announcing infrastructure projects worth ₹5,000 crore across sectors including oil and gas, power, roads, and railways. He contrasted this with what he described as the TMC’s politics of appeasement and vote-bank mobilization, alleging that “thousands of infiltrators from Bangladesh have forged documents and are roaming the country as Indians”.
Without naming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directly, Modi accused her party of “criminalising poverty and linguistic profiling”, referencing recent controversies over the treatment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.
The rally, held just days before the TMC’s annual Martyrs’ Day event, is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate its position in West Bengal. Modi’s speech emphasized national security, constitutional adherence, and cultural preservation, signaling the party’s intent to sharpen its narrative in the run-up to the polls.
