New Delhi [India], January 13 : Union Minister and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "pushing" for a demographic change in the state, warning that if it happens, then "no Banerjee or Chatterjee will ever become the CM."
Speaking exclusively with ANI, Sukanta Majumdar accused Mamata Banerjee of prioritising her own family over the country, despite being aware of the dangers of demographic change.
"She wants to change the demography so she and her family remain in power for a few years. They also know that if the demography changes and 60 per cent of the population becomes Muslims, then no Banerjee or Chatterjee can become the Chief Minister. Only a Muslim will become a CM. But they (TMC) think that my generation will go away and become rich," Majumdar said.
Majumdar further alleged that to fulfil her "political motive", Mamata Banerjee is not "allowing" the government to fence the borders.
"She (Mamata Banerjee) wants demographic change in Bengal. It's a political motive. We have a border of about 2200 km with Bangladesh, including all the states. And where fencing is possible. Fencing has been done in all states. Only in Bengal, above 500 km of fencing has not been done," he said.
"The Home Minister (Amit Shah) has stood on the floor of the house and said that if they do not give land, then where will we make fencing?"
When countered with why the government need all these permissions to safeguard borders, Majumdar said, "People will start shouting here (in West Bengal), that you destroyed the federal structure. You destroyed the federal structure."
As per the Ministry of Home Affairs data, 79 per cent fencing of the India-Bangladesh border has been completed. The data states that the India-Bangladesh International Border, measuring 4,096.70 kilometres, has fencing along 3,239.92 kilometres, accounting for 79.08 per cent of the border. The remaining 856.778 kilometres, or 20.92 per cent, remains unfenced.
He further alleged that Opposition parties prioritise party over country.
"Our opposition is such that they see the party before the country. They see the power. If we (BJP) have to sacrifice power in front of the country, then we are ready. We don't want power. We want the country first. The country's internal security is important first."
Highlighting the seriousness of demographic change, he also mentioned the concern raised by Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
"There is a statement by Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary that in the future, Bangladesh can claim that Murshidabad is our part. Adhir Dada has done secular politics all his life. So why is he feeling this way today? The demography has changed. For years, the demography has been changing. The way radicalisation is happening in Bengal is very dangerous. The land is being used as the launching pad for these infiltrators," he said.
Majumdar here was referring to a statement of Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary from last year on the demographic change.
Majumdar further warned about the dangers of "fanatic Islam," citing the violence in Murshidabad last year.
"The kind of incident that is happening in Murshidabad, fanatic Islam is coming into Hindu-dominated areas. Everyone has to be safe from this fanatic Islam. I think the secular-minded Muslim society has to be safe from this fanatic Islam," he said.
Politics in West Bengal has heated up ahead of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, with the BJP targeting the TMC government over the "illegal infiltration" of Bangladeshis in the state.