PM Modi Accuses TMC of Prioritizing Infiltrators Over Bengal’s Development in 2026 Election Campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified his criticism of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, accusing the party of mastering a “PhD in looting” over the past 15 years and prioritizing the interests of infiltrators over the state’s development and indigenous population. His remarks, delivered during multiple rallies across Bengal in April and May 2024, have become a central theme of the BJP’s election strategy, framing the contest as a battle to protect Bengal’s cultural and demographic identity.

Speaking at a public meeting in Krishnanagar, Modi alleged that the TMC had systematically looted state resources while neglecting genuine development work, claiming the party’s focus had shifted to appeasing illegal immigrants from neighboring countries at the expense of local Bengalis. “For 15 years, TMC has earned a PhD in looting,” Modi said. “They are not interested in Bengal’s progress — only in settling infiltrators and changing the state’s demographic character.”

Modi Links TMC Policies to Demographic Change and National Security

The Prime Minister’s rhetoric extends beyond corruption allegations, linking TMC governance to what he describes as a deliberate effort to alter Bengal’s social fabric. He has repeatedly warned that unchecked infiltration threatens the state’s linguistic, cultural and religious identity, particularly in border districts like Malda, Murshidabad, and North 24 Parganas.

These claims echo earlier statements by Modi and other BJP leaders, who have accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of providing tacit support to illegal immigrants for electoral gain. In February 2024, Modi asserted that the TMC was “working for infiltrators” and described the upcoming election as a “battle to save Bengal’s identity.”

The BJP has cited data from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam and Border Security Force (BSF) reports to support its claims of increased infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border. Yet, the TMC and West Bengal government have consistently rejected these allegations, calling them politically motivated and factually baseless.

TMC Denies Allegations, Accuses BJP of Divisive Politics

Mamata Banerjee has dismissed Modi’s remarks as “false propaganda” designed to divert attention from the BJP’s failures in governance and employment generation. Speaking at a rally in Kolkata, she challenged the Prime Minister to provide concrete evidence of state-sponsored infiltration and accused the BJP of using communal rhetoric to polarize voters.

“The PM talks about infiltrators but says nothing about the lack of jobs in Bengal under his own central schemes,” Banerjee said. “His government has failed to deliver on promises of Rs 5 lakh free healthcare for women — a promise he made just weeks ago — while his ministers spread lies about our state.”

She further accused the BJP of undermining federalism and attempting to destabilize the elected state government through institutional pressure and misinformation campaigns. The TMC has filed multiple complaints with the Election Commission of India regarding alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by BJP leaders during campaign speeches.

Women’s Reservation and Healthcare Promises Become Campaign Flashpoints

Modi’s recent promise of Rs 5 lakh free healthcare coverage for women in Bengal under the Ayushman Bharat scheme has similarly drawn sharp rebuttals from the TMC. Banerjee questioned the timing of the announcement, noting that similar health insurance coverage already exists under the state’s Swasthya Sathi scheme, which covers over 90% of the population.

The debate over women’s reservation has further intensified the political discourse. While Modi has praised the TMC’s opposition to women’s reservation in parliamentary constituencies as evidence of its anti-women stance, Banerjee countered that her party has long reserved 50% of seats in local bodies for women and supported the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.

She argued that the BJP’s sudden focus on women’s issues is opportunistic, pointing to the party’s poor record on women’s safety and representation in central ministries and BJP-ruled states.

Election 2026: A Battle Over Governance, Identity, and Trust

As the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections approach, the political contest is increasingly defined by competing narratives of development, identity, and governance. The BJP is positioning itself as the defender of Bengal’s indigenous interests and a bulwark against illegal immigration, while the TMC frames the election as a defense of secularism, federalism, and social justice against what it calls “communal fascism.”

Recent opinion polls suggest a closely contested battle, with the TMC retaining strong support in rural and tribal areas, while the BJP makes inroads in urban and border constituencies. Key issues influencing voter sentiment include unemployment, agrarian distress, law and order, and the implementation of central welfare schemes.

The Election Commission of India has announced that the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections will be held in multiple phases between April and May 2026, with exact dates to be notified closer to the schedule. Over 90 million eligible voters are expected to participate in what could be one of the most politically consequential state elections in recent Indian history.

Key Takeaways

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the TMC government of corruption and prioritizing infiltrators over Bengal’s development, using the phrase “PhD in looting” to describe 15 years of TMC rule.
• The BJP frames the 2026 election as a fight to protect Bengal’s demographic and cultural identity from illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh.
• Mamata Banerjee and the TMC reject these allegations as baseless and divisive, accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation to gain electoral advantage.
• Disputes over healthcare promises, women’s reservation, and job creation have become central flashpoints in the campaign.
• The election will be a critical test of whether the BJP can convert its national momentum into state-level power in West Bengal, or whether the TMC will secure a third consecutive term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did PM Modi mean by “PhD in looting”?

Modi used the phrase metaphorically to accuse the TMC of institutionalizing corruption over its 15 years in power, suggesting the party has become highly skilled at misusing public funds.

Is there evidence of state-supported infiltration in West Bengal?

The BJP cites BSF reports and NRC data from Assam to claim increased infiltration, but the TMC and independent fact-checkers have found no credible evidence of state involvement. The Election Commission has not validated these claims as proven facts.

What is the Swasthya Sathi scheme in West Bengal?

Launched in 2016, Swasthya Sathi is a state-funded health insurance scheme providing secondary and tertiary care coverage to over 90% of West Bengal’s population, including free treatment at empaneled hospitals.

When will the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections be held?

The Election Commission of India has indicated the elections will occur in multiple phases between April and May 2026, though exact dates have not yet been announced.

Does the TMC support women’s reservation?

Yes, the TMC has reserved 50% of seats in panchayats and municipalities for women and supported the 108th Constitutional Amendment (Women’s Reservation Bill) in Parliament, which reserves 33% of seats in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women.