NEW DELHI: From states as afar as Bihar and Uttarakhand, home minister Amit Shah is leading BJP’s push to put the issue of infiltrators on the front burner with an eye on not only the upcoming assembly elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam where it has a certain resonance, but also on shaping the national agenda by coopting a core party plank into its central theme.Shah, who has long championed national security and demography concerns over the alleged influx of infiltrators from Bangladesh, recently stepped up his efforts by camping for three days in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, which borders the eastern neighbour, and then sending out a stern message from Uttarakhand last week.He chose the launch of several development initiatives in Haridwar to underscore the Modi govt’s determination over the issue. “From Kedarnath to Kanyakumari wherever infiltrators are present across the country, we will identify and remove each and every infiltrator from India,” he said, accusing opposition parties of trying to shield them as they see their vote bank in them.BJP has framed its strong backing to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls – which has in turn drawn protests from the opposition for its alleged intent to benefit the governing party – around its potential to identify and delete illegal voters, a large section of whom are likely to be illegals.More than any other state, SIR has become a political flashpoint between the Mamata Banerjee govt in poll-bound West Bengal and BJP, leading to frequent interventions from Supreme Court.BJP has cited “unnatural” surge in Muslim voters in different parts of the state, which borders Bangladesh, to back its claim of the presence of infiltrators in large numbers. With SC giving a go ahead to SIR while offering some directives, TMC has nuanced its opposition but questioned the process and accused EC of working with BJP to target voters unsympathetic to the national party.In his speech in Haridwar, the home minister said over 10,000 encroachments, which are often allegedly linked to infiltrators, were demolished in the hilly state under its the BJP govt’s action against them. The opposition, on the other hand, are shielding them, he claimed in a message meant as much for people in the state as outside.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’One Phone Call From PM Modi Can End This Issue’: UAE Envoy On Iran-Israel-US WarIndia’s Top Military Commander Says AI Will Decide Future Wars, Admit India Is Taking Baby StepsIran Defies Trump, Chooses Khamenei’s Son As Supreme Leader; U.S Bombs Iran School, Shows New VideoIs India’s Internet Connectivity At Risk With War Threatening Undersea Cables At Strait Of Hormuz?Crude Oil Rally Near 120 Dollars, Raises Big Question If India Can Survive Crisis With Russian OilUS-Iran War Triggers Massive Selloff On Dalal Street, Investors Lose Rs 12 Lakh Crore In Single DayBengal’s Tribal and SC/ST Votes In Spotlight as BJP Ramps Up Outreach Amid President Protocol RowJaishankar Statement On Iran War Sparks Walkout As Opposition Demands Full Debate, BJP Hits BackLok Sabha Arithmetic Takes Center Stage As Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion On Speaker Om Birla”Never Seen Such Irresponsible Oppn…” Rijiju Hits Out At Oppn Over Uproar In Parliament123PhotostoriesGaurav Khanna opens up about his possible return to Anupamaa and addresses questions about his Bigg Boss 19 prize money and car; says, “I’m yet to receive them”How to classic Paneer Kofta Curry for lunch at homeFrom blood diamonds to lab-grown gold: Is the jewellery industry finally evolving?8 traditional ways to enjoy Parwal or Pointed Gourd during summer seasonIndian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah house in Ahmedabad: Spacious living, elegant interiors, serene bedroom and modern gymFrequent calf cramps while walking: Doctors explain when it may signal circulation problems, not dehydrationSingapore’s costliest real estate streets for wealthy buyers and investors in 2026A bridge for giants: Elephants use Bengaluru’s first wildlife overpassInside Jasprit Bumrah’s Car Collection: 5 luxury cars he owns7 Korean habits to lose weight quickly123Hot PicksIran war newsUS Stock Market todayLPG new ruleDelhi-Manchester IndiGo flightIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingHardik PandyaUS Stock Market todayUS Strike on Iran OilBengal assembly electionsBalendra ShahPakistan Fuel shortageRestaurants IT RaidDelhi Uttam Nagar murderGold Price TodayLPG cooking gas
NEW DELHI: From states as afar as Bihar and Uttarakhand, home minister Amit Shah is leading BJP’s push to put the issue of infiltrators on the front burner with an eye on not only the upcoming assembly elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam where it has a certain resonance, but also on shaping the national agenda by coopting a core party plank into its central theme.Shah, who has long championed national security and demography concerns over the alleged influx of infiltrators from Bangladesh, recently stepped up his efforts by camping for three days in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, which borders the eastern neighbour, and then sending out a stern message from Uttarakhand last week.He chose the launch of several development initiatives in Haridwar to underscore the Modi govt’s determination over the issue. “From Kedarnath to Kanyakumari wherever infiltrators are present across the country, we will identify and remove each and every infiltrator from India,” he said, accusing opposition parties of trying to shield them as they see their vote bank in them.BJP has framed its strong backing to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls – which has in turn drawn protests from the opposition for its alleged intent to benefit the governing party – around its potential to identify and delete illegal voters, a large section of whom are likely to be illegals.More than any other state, SIR has become a political flashpoint between the Mamata Banerjee govt in poll-bound West Bengal and BJP, leading to frequent interventions from Supreme Court.BJP has cited “unnatural” surge in Muslim voters in different parts of the state, which borders Bangladesh, to back its claim of the presence of infiltrators in large numbers. With SC giving a go ahead to SIR while offering some directives, TMC has nuanced its opposition but questioned the process and accused EC of working with BJP to target voters unsympathetic to the national party.In his speech in Haridwar, the home minister said over 10,000 encroachments, which are often allegedly linked to infiltrators, were demolished in the hilly state under its the BJP govt’s action against them. The opposition, on the other hand, are shielding them, he claimed in a message meant as much for people in the state as outside.
