Land for border fencing not an issue, Centre must roll back BSF jurisdiction expansion rule: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (February 5, 2026) said her government had no objection in providing land for border fencing, but insisted that the Centre must first roll back the “arbitrary” decision to expand the BSF’s jurisdiction in the state from 15 km to 50 km.

Limits and borders: On the territorial jurisdiction of the Border Security Force

Speaking in the Assembly during discussion on the Governor’s address, Ms. Banerjee rejected allegations by the Centre and the BJP over the State government obstructing border fencing, asserting that land had already been provided to all central organisations and agencies, including the BSF.

“Land will not be a problem. You will get land. But first, change the arbitrary rule increasing BSF’s jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km,” she said, reiterating her government’s commitment to national security.

The remarks came amid a fresh war of words between the Centre and the Trinamool Congress-led government over “delay” in fencing, alleged illegal migration and the management of West Bengal’s long and porous borders with Bangladesh.

Ms. Banerjee took direct aim at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently accused the State of not cooperating on fencing, alleging that the Centre was selectively presenting facts.

“He is not giving the full data on how much land the state has already provided,” she said, adding that land had been allotted to central agencies, ranging from railways to defence establishments.

Referring to BJP’s repeated focus on infiltration, the CM questioned the “narrow security-only narrative”.

“They understand only one word, infiltration. Will the youth and new voters not get enrolled?” she asked, arguing that excessive securitisation of border areas risks disrupting democratic processes and the lives of ordinary people.

Her intervention quickly turned into a sharp political duel with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who alleged that demographic changes due to infiltration posed a serious threat, and claimed that the Centre had written multiple times seeking land for fencing, which was not provided.

Ms. Banerjee dismissed the charge, saying she had seen “many home ministers” and did not need lessons on governance.

“We have given land to SAIL, the Railways and all central agencies. Finish the work on the land already given, then we will give more,” she said, asserting that the State had no obligation to publicly enumerate how much land it had already handed over.

The Chief Minister also used the floor of the House to launch a broader political counterattack ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, warning the BJP that it would “lose many seats” in the State.

Mocking the “double-engine government” pitch, she said the BJP was “zero before, zero now and will remain zero”, even as Ms. Banerjee urged opposition leaders to “stay well”, a remark that mixed sarcasm with political theatre.

Turning to development works, Ms. Banerjee presented a list of State-funded projects, including the long-pending Ghatal Master Plan, for which she said Bengal had waited 15 years before sanctioning ₹1,500 crore on its own.

She claimed that over ₹300 crore worth of work had already been completed and accused the Centre of discontinuing schemes named after Mahatma Gandhi.

On the issue of infiltration and Rohingya-related allegations, Ms. Banerjee challenged the BJP to produce evidence.

“Have you found even one Rohingya? Elections were held in 2024 on this voter list. If there was a problem, ask the Prime Minister to resign,” she said, in one of her sharpest rhetorics during the debate.

Mr. Adhikari, meanwhile, maintained that infiltration was altering Bengal’s demography and said opposition MPs and MLAs were being attacked, forcing them to approach courts.

Mr. Banerjee shot back, accusing the BJP of selectively targeting Bengal, while remaining silent on alleged attacks against migrant workers in other states.

The exchange underscored how border management has become both a security issue and a potent political weapon in Bengal, where the ruling TMC accuses the Centre of eroding federal principles, and the BJP alleges administrative apathy and vote-bank politics.

Published – February 05, 2026 04:52 pm IST