Bangladesh MP’s remarks on Bengal polls trigger political storm in India
Kolkata : A fresh political controversy has erupted ahead of the West Bengal election results after a Bangladeshi lawmaker expressed concern over exit poll predictions suggesting a possible win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The remarks were made by Bangladesh MP Akhtar Hossain in his country’s parliament, where he reportedly said that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in the state could be deported. He warned that such a situation could create challenges for Bangladesh if large numbers of migrants return.
The statement has now snowballed into a political flashpoint in India, with BJP leaders targeting the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey shared a video of the Bangladeshi MP’s speech on social media platform X, alleging that it exposes the TMC’s alleged links to illegal infiltration. “This is a dangerous development. Hidden supporters of TMC are slowly being exposed,” he said.
Infiltration debate intensifies
Illegal immigration has long been a politically sensitive issue in West Bengal. The BJP has consistently framed it as a matter of national security, accusing the TMC government of encouraging infiltration for vote-bank politics.
On the other hand, the TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has countered that border security falls under the jurisdiction of the Centre. The party has repeatedly questioned why infiltration continues despite the presence of the Border Security Force (BSF), which is controlled by the Union government.
The latest remarks by the Bangladeshi MP have added a new dimension to this ongoing political battle, giving fresh ammunition to the BJP in the heated election environment.
Exit polls paint mixed picture
Meanwhile, exit polls for the West Bengal elections have presented a divided picture, keeping political circles on edge.
According to Matrize, the BJP could win between 146 and 161 seats, while the TMC may secure 125 to 140 seats. JVC projections place BJP at 138–159 and TMC at 131–152 seats.
P-Marq has predicted a stronger performance for the BJP with 150–175 seats, whereas People Pulse has projected a clear majority for the TMC with 177–187 seats.The varying projections have heightened suspense over the final outcome.
All eyes on May 4
With two phases of polling already completed, attention is now on how these controversies and narratives will influence voter sentiment.
The final results, scheduled to be announced on May 4, are expected to determine not just the political future of West Bengal but also the impact of contentious issues like illegal immigration on electoral outcomes. The unfolding row underscores how cross-border political statements can quickly escalate into major campaign issues in India’s high-stakes elections.
