New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Santanu Thakur, along with Malda Uttar MP Khagen Murmu, spoke on the prevailing political situation in West Bengal at India News Manch 2025, organised by the ITV Network.
Santanu Thakur alleged a major scam rooted in VIP culture in the state, referring to an event where football fans who had paid for tickets were allegedly denied the opportunity to see Lionel Messi due to mismanagement and preferential treatment for VIPs. Terming it a serious financial irregularity involving large sums of money, he demanded a comprehensive investigation, questioned whether the public would be refunded, accused the state government of deflecting blame through arrests, and called for a CBI probe.
Highlighting the difference between Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Thakur recalled that in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls, the BJP secured 77 seats while the Congress and Left failed to win any. Expressing confidence ahead of the upcoming elections, he said widespread corruption under the current regime has generated strong public resentment and asserted that the BJP is poised to form the next government in the state.
He said the Babri Mosque issue has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court and dismissed any talk of rebuilding it. Accusing the Trinamool Congress of divisive politics and votebank appeasement, he alleged that the ruling party is deliberately polarising society for political gain—actions which, he said, will not be forgiven by the people.
Addressing concerns related to the Mathua community and Bangladeshi refugees, Thakur thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for what he described as a compassionate approach. He said many refugees lost their assets and social standing and continue to live without citizenship or basic rights.
