BJP’s Amit Shah Pledges to Expel Illegal Migrants from New Delhi
BJP’s Election Promise
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s closest political ally, Amit Shah, has pledged to rid the capital of “illegal” immigrants if his party wins the upcoming provincial polls. Shah, the interior minister, made the statement at a rally on Sunday, saying that every unlawful migrant from neighboring Bangladesh would be expelled from New Delhi “within two years” if his party succeeds in the next month’s provincial polls.
The Current State of Affairs
India shares a porous border stretching thousands of kilometers with Muslim-majority Bangladesh, and illegal migration from its eastern neighbor has been a hot-button political issue for decades. There are no reliable estimates of the number of Bangladeshis living illegally in Delhi, a city to which millions have flocked in search of employment from elsewhere in India over recent decades.
Critics Accuse BJP of Using the Issue as a Dog Whistle
Critics of Modi and Shah’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accuse the party of using the issue as a dog whistle against Muslims to galvanize its Hindu-nationalist support base during elections. Delhi, a sprawling megacity home to more than 30 million people, has been governed for most of the past decade by charismatic chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Kejriwal’s Popularity and the Election
Kejriwal rode to power as an anti-corruption crusader a decade ago and his profile has bestowed upon him the mantle of one of the chief rivals to Modi and Shah’s party. His popularity has been burnished by extensive water and electricity subsidies for the capital’s millions of poorer residents. However, he spent several months behind bars last year on accusations his party took kickbacks in exchange for liquor licenses, along with several fellow party leaders. Kejriwal denies wrongdoing and characterised the charges as a political witch-hunt by Modi’s government.
The Election Campaign
The BJP has led a spirited campaign in its efforts to dislodge Kejriwal’s party ahead of the February 5 vote. Modi is expected to make a pilgrimage to the ongoing Kumbh Mela, the biggest festival on the Hindu calendar, to bathe in the sacred Ganges river on the day of the Delhi assembly vote. Results of the election will be published on February 8.
Conclusion
The election in Delhi is expected to be a closely contested one, with both parties vying for the support of the city’s millions of voters. The BJP’s promise to expel illegal migrants from New Delhi is likely to resonate with its Hindu-nationalist support base, but critics accuse the party of using the issue as a dog whistle against Muslims. The outcome of the election will depend on a variety of factors, including the popularity of the parties and their leaders, as well as the issues that voters care about most.
FAQs
Q: What is the BJP’s promise regarding illegal migrants in New Delhi?
A: The BJP has promised to expel all illegal migrants from New Delhi within two years if it wins the upcoming provincial polls.
Q: How many Bangladeshis are living illegally in Delhi?
A: There are no reliable estimates of the number of Bangladeshis living illegally in Delhi.
Q: What are the accusations against Arvind Kejriwal and his party?
A: Kejriwal and his party are accused of taking kickbacks in exchange for liquor licenses, among other allegations.
Q: When will the results of the Delhi assembly election be published?
A: The results of the election will be published on February 8.