West Bengal elections: PM Modi pledges crackdown on corruption, rape, illegal immigration

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pledged to weed out corruption, reopen investigations into sexual assault, and expel illegal immigrants if voters elect his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the eastern state of West Bengal later this month.

Speaking at a pre-election rally, Modi  Modi said the people of West Bengal would have "six guarantees" if they pressed the "lotus-stamped button," referring to his party's emblem, a pink lotus.

At the rally, Modi promised:

• To restore public confidence in the rule of law
• A government accountable to the people
• Investigation of all corruption, scam, and rape cases under a BJP government
• Jail for all those involved in corruption under TMC rule, regardless of rank
• Expulsion of illegal immigrants
• Protection for government employees and teachers

Modi accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of spreading fear and lawlessness, claiming a BJP government would “re?establish the rule of law” in the state.

West Bengal, one of India’s most populous and politically influential states, has been ruled since 2011 by the TMC under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

While elaborating on his pledge to investigate sexual assault cases, Modi alluded to the rape and murder of a young female trainee doctor at one of the largest government-run hospitals in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata in August 2024. Details of the assault led to a nation-wide outcry and demonstrations across cities.

The mother of the victim is standing as a BJP candidate, and blames the TMC Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her daughter's murder.

On illegal immigration, Modi referred to undocumented migrants from Bangladesh, an issue that has become a flashpoint in Indian politics. West Bengal shares a long and porous border with Bangladesh.

Modi’s final promise — to protect government employees and teachers — touched on a sensitive issue in the state. In 2025, India’s Supreme Court annulled the appointments of nearly 26,000 public?sector school teachers after uncovering a large?scale cash?for?jobs scam.

Theruling led to widespread protests and caused significant political damage to Chief Minister Banerjee and the TMC.