Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses during the Parivartan Yatra in Mathurapur, in South 24 Parganas on March 2, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday (March 2, 2026) promised West Bengal government employees that the Seventh Pay Commission will be implemented in the state if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Mr. Shah, who flagged off his party’s Parivartan Yatra (Rally for change) from Magrahat in South 24 Parganas, said the seventh pay commission would be implemented within 45 days of the BJP coming to power. “If you all form the West Bengal government under the BJP, we will start paying salaries as per the seventh pay commission in just 45 days,” he said.
The remark assumes significance as the government employees are embroiled in a long legal battle with the state government over payment of Dearness Allowance (DA). Despite the Supreme Court order directing the state government to pay 25% DA due to its employees by March 31, the Mamata Banerjee government has not released the DA arrears.
Addressing a public meeting in Mathurapur, the Union Home Minister said that the youth of the state was suffering due to the corruption of the Trinamool Congress government in providing jobs. He promised that the youth would be given a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for employment after the formation of the BJP government.
Mr Shah said the aim of the yatra was not only to remove the Chief Minister but to free the state from infiltration, corruption and syndicate raj. “If you vote for TMC again, Bhaipo (nephew) will rule here, not Mamata didi,” the home minister said.
Dynasty politics
Taking aim at the Trinamool Congress government over dynasty politics, Mr Shah said “Mamata Banerjee’s aim is not the welfare of the people of Bengal. Instead of the welfare of the people of Bengal, she wants to do good for Abhishek Banerjee”.
“He wants to make Abhishek Banerjee the chief minister,” he said. Mr. Shah said the youth of West Bengal cannot get space in a party like the Trinamool Congress and “BJP is the only party which does not do politics for the family”.
Referring to scams that surfaced during the 15 years of Trinamool Congress rule, the Union Home Minister touched on the nomination of Rajeev Kumar, former Director General of Police of West Bengal, to the Rajya Sabha. Mr. Shah said the DGP, who had helped the Trinamool Congress cover up several scams, has now been nominated by the party to the Rajya Sabha.
Mr. Shah said that while Ms. Banerjee had changed her mind and was building temples in the state, “Babri Masjid” was also being built in the state under her watch to appease the vote bank. He said Masjid Babri was the result of a conspiracy between Ms Banerjee and Humayun Kabir, a suspended Trinamool legislator who has now formed a new party.
Rajnath, Shivraj flags outside the rally
Several other legs of the Parivartan Yatra have been flagged off from different corners of the state. Addressing a rally at Amta in Howrah district, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recalled Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s contribution and said Bengal was a country of fighters and revolutionaries and was ready for change.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal flagged off the yatra from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas.
The BJP leadership started the campaign for the West Bengal elections by flagging off several Parivartan Yatras across the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata after the culmination of these yatras.
Published – 02 March 2026 21:26 IST
