BJP's Amit Shah Promises to Expel Illegal Immigrants in New Delhi if Elected

In a bold declaration at a recent rally in New Delhi, Amit Shah, India's interior minister and a prominent figure in Prime Minister Modi's government, announced his party's intent to remove all "illegal" immigrants from the city if they emerge victorious in the upcoming provincial elections. Shah specifically targeted migrants from Bangladesh, asserting that the BJP would ensure their expulsion within a two-year timeframe, asserting that the current government is failing to address this issue.

Shah’s remarks are reflective of a long-standing political controversy surrounding illegal migration from Bangladesh, a neighboring country with which India shares a long and porous border. Critics have pointed out that there are no clear figures regarding the number of undocumented Bangladeshis residing in the capital, even as millions migrate to Delhi from various parts of India in search of better job opportunities.

The BJP faces scrutiny from opponents who believe that the party is leveraging the immigration issue to appeal to its Hindu nationalist base, particularly against the backdrop of the Aam Aadmi Party's leadership in the region, led by the well-known chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. As Delhi continues to grapple with its demographic complexities, Shah's statements signal a significant political strategy aimed at drawing a clear distinction between Hindu voters and the perceived threats from undocumented migrants.