Dhaka/New Delhi: A section of leaders in Bangladesh have started getting jittery after some exit polls in India gave the BJP a slender lead over the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
A parliamentarian in Dhaka raised the issue of a possible refugee crisis, saying that millions of illegal immigrants could be pushed into the country if the BJP does come to power in West Bengal.
Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by students who participated in the 2024 July uprising in Dhaka that led to the ouster of prime minister Sk Hasina, said in parliament that a victory for the BJP in West Bengal could trigger deportations of illegal Bangladeshis.
“The exit polls in West Bengal show the BJP is winning, and if the BJP forms the government there, they will push all the Bangladeshis into Bangladesh. This will create a major refugee crisis for us. We are worried about this,” Hossain said.
Equating this to the Rohingya crisis, he said that a “sea of migrants” could enter Bangladesh, i
f the new government in West Bengal decides to deport illegals, as reported by News18.
“We are regionally placed with many realities. BJP may ensure that a sea of migrants reach Bangladesh. There is no guarantee that Muslims (illegal immigrants) won’t be sent back from our neighbouring country. We have to remain united,” he said.
Hossain’s speech sparked a sharp reaction from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who launched an attack on the TMC on illegal infiltration, stressing that the party’s “helpers are slowly coming down to the fore.”
Dubey shared a video of Hossain’s speech on X and posted: “Bangladesh MP Akhtar Hossain said today in the Bangladesh Parliament that the BJP’s victory in West Bengal will stop infiltration and drive out Bangladeshi Muslims; this is dangerous. The helpers of the Trinamool Congress are slowly coming to the fore.”
Most exit polls have forecast a close fight in West Bengal, with a strong showing by the BJP and a resilient challenge from the TMC.
Illegal infiltration was among the most debated issues during the West Bengal election campaign. While the BJP accused the TMC of promoting illegal infiltration, the latter blamed the Centre for inadequate protection at the border with Bangladesh.
Millions of names were deleted from the voter rolls in West Bengal through the Special Intensive Review conducted by the Elections Commission ahead of the polls. Many of them were of illegal immigrants, it has been claimed.