Patna, October 19, 2025: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday leveled sharp criticism at opposition parties, accusing them of encouraging infiltration for vote bank politics and cautioning Bihar voters against allowing a return of lawlessness “wearing a new mask.” Speaking at the Hindustan Bihar Samagam 2025 in Patna, Shah emphasized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies’ record in maintaining law and order over two decades of governance.

Shah drew attention to the issue of cross-border infiltration, highlighting contrasts between BJP-ruled Assam and West Bengal. He claimed that while infiltration had been curbed in Assam, it continued in West Bengal due to what he described as “red carpet welcome” policies by the Mamata Banerjee government.

“Is this because they have increased their vote bank by allowing infiltration?” Shah asked, defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. He criticized the opposition for raising objections to the exercise, arguing that it was necessary to “weed out infiltrators.”

The Home Minister urged Bihar voters to re-elect the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, warning that opposition parties would bring back the state’s former lawlessness. “I plead with the people not to trust those who would bring back jungle raj, wearing a new mask,” he said, presenting what he termed a report card of 20 years of NDA rule in Bihar.

Shah defended the continued use of the “jungle raj” rhetoric, asserting that the NDA had restored law and order and filled the metaphorical “ditches” over two decades. He outlined a phased development agenda: the first decade focused on basic infrastructure and governance, the second on major projects, and the next on employment generation and flood management. “Modi ji at the Centre, Nitish ji in Bihar — this partnership has delivered 20 years of development, and NDA will take it forward,” he added.

Addressing criticisms about ongoing infiltration despite 11 years of BJP-led central government, Shah said that border management along dense forests and riverine terrain was inherently challenging. He alleged that local officials in West Bengal were under orders to facilitate illegal entry, framing it as a deliberate policy to expand the vote bank. He also promised to “drive out every infiltrator” from West Bengal if the BJP came to power in the next assembly elections.

Shah dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s earlier claims of “vote chori” in Bihar, suggesting that Gandhi had abandoned the allegation following poor reception among voters.

Highlighting the NDA’s developmental record, Shah cited ₹3.5 lakh crore spent on road infrastructure, four operational power plants making Bihar self-sufficient in electricity, 20 operational Vande Bharat Express trains, and new airports in Purnia, Darbhanga, and Patna. He also detailed welfare measures reaching millions of residents: 85.2 million receiving 5kg of free food grains monthly, 8.7 million farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, 5.2 million beneficiaries of crop insurance, over 350,000 receiving medical treatment via Ayushman Bharat, 15.7 million women receiving Ujjwala gas cylinders, and 4.4 million homeless people provided with new houses.

On accusations regarding pre-election freebies, Shah countered that such claims arose from the opposition’s anxiety over electoral outcomes. He played down internal seat-sharing tensions within the NDA, noting that disputes are natural in coalition politics but are resolved once constituencies are finalized.

Defending the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which mandates the removal of ministers under prolonged incarceration, Shah denied it targeted non-BJP states. Recalling his own resignation during a pending case, he said, “We have seen, in the recent past, governments being run by people behind bars. That cannot be allowed.”

Regarding the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) led by Prashant Kishor, which has criticized several BJP leaders, Shah remained dismissive, stating, “He has floated a new party contesting elections for the first time. We shall talk about him once votes are counted and results declared.”

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reacted to Shah’s speech in Patna, criticizing him for avoiding national issues. “He doesn’t say what he should. Tell us the condition of the entire country. There is an unemployment crisis in the country. If PM Modi is so capable, why can’t we trust his words? He had said ₹2 crore jobs would be given every year,” Chowdhury remarked.

The Samagam underscored the BJP’s focus on security, governance, and development, framing the 2025 Bihar elections as a referendum on two decades of NDA rule and a warning against perceived threats from opposition-led states in eastern India.

---