After wrapping up preps for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections weeks ahead of the opposition’s fractious Mahagathbandhan, the BJP political machinery is already looking ahead to its next target - West Bengal.
With Diwali and Kali Puja over, various reports suggest that the BJP’s West Bengal unit has begun preparations to set up 700-1,000 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) camps across the state.
These camps, mostly concentrated in West Bengal’s border districts, are meant to encourage persecuted Hindu refugees from Bangladesh that are now living in Bengal to apply for Indian citizenship.
The BJP’s move comes ahead of the ECI’s upcoming nation-wide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Considering that the BJP has tried and failed three times in a row in West Bengal, ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, the RSS’ brainchild is making sure to cover all the bases.
Since the existing voters don’t seem to like them very much, the BJP is looking to bring in those that do.
It’s not cheating - it’s another BJP MASTERSTROKE.
The CAA applicants, coupled with Hindu vote consolidation, will likely act as the BJP’s poll plank for the 2026 polls. And the BJP is not holding back. It has also enlisted other Hindu organisations and several local clubs to help buttress the drive.
On Wednesday, a workshop by the Bengal BJP’s general secretary BL Santosh helped train party workers, leaders, and representatives of “apolitical” organisations on the CAA. Reports suggest that the trainees will return to their localities and assist others in applying for citizenship certificates before the SIR process takes place.
Incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently opposed moves like the CAA, NRC, and others. She claims they are detention camps in a different dress, that it spreads hate and she doesn’t know how to hate people.
But, if the BJP’s plan works and she loses her throne, will she hate the BJP for pulling it off or herself, for not thinking of it first?
