Agartala, January 15:Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday strongly flagged illegal infiltration as a major threat to the North East, asserting that while states like Assam and Tripura are acting firmly, the problem cannot be fully addressed unless the BJP comes to power in West Bengal.
Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the revered Mata Tripurasundari Temple at Matabari in Tripura’s Gomati district, Sarma said stopping infiltration from Bangladesh is crucial for the survival of the North East.
“Assam is the worst sufferer of infiltration. Though North Eastern states are trying to stop it, West Bengal is not responding to the national cause. To completely stop infiltration, it is very important for the BJP to win West Bengal,” he said.
The Assam Chief Minister said if the North East is to “remain alive,” decisive initiatives must be taken along the Indo-Bangladesh border. “For that, BJP must be in power in Tripura, Assam and also West Bengal,” he asserted.
Sarma, who arrived in Tripura amid the run-up to the Assam Assembly elections, said he visited the Tripurasundari Temple to seek divine blessings ahead of crucial moments.
“Whenever something important comes, including elections, I come here to seek blessings of Mata Tripurasundari. She gives spiritual strength and blessings not just to devotees but to the entire country,” he said.
He clarified that his visit was not politically focused on Tripura and that, as a courtesy, he would meet Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, whom he praised for the facelift of the historic temple.
“My focus at present is on Assam elections, which are likely to be announced in February. There are hardly 50 days left,” he said.
On BJP’s electoral prospects in Assam, Sarma said the party is currently in a strong position, though politics remains dynamic.
“If elections were held today, BJP would do very well. But predictions are difficult until results are declared,” he noted.
Dr Sarma said the Assam election would be fought on two main planks — development and protection of identity.
Claiming that the BJP has fulfilled “100 per cent” of its commitments, Sarma said his government provided 1.6 lakh government jobs in five years without corruption and freed nearly two lakh bighas of land from encroachment by illegal Bangladesh migrants.
Highlighting central support, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to deliver development projects for Assam and is scheduled to visit again shortly to inaugurate a 36-km elevated corridor in Kaziranga.
On seat-sharing and electoral strategy, Sarma said BJP would not contest constituencies where it has little chance of winning.
“There is no point in contesting seats where people will not vote for us. Friendly parties can contest from those seats,” he said.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that Congress could win 22–23 seats due to consolidation of minority votes but said he would not appeal to minority communities in a manner that creates difficulties for them.
“In the remaining seats, if people vote for BJP, there will be no competition. It depends entirely on the voters,” he said.
Sarma also expressed concern over demographic changes, claiming that after the next census, the Muslim population in Assam could touch around 40 per cent, making the situation more complex for the region.
“The impact of illegal infiltration is most visible in Assam,” he added.
Praising development works under the BJP government in Tripura, Sarma said he would visit the state again after the Assam elections.
