West Bengal Election Rigging: How infiltrators are hijacking votes and defeating rivals

A huge transformation has shaped West Bengal's political, demographic, social, and cultural landscape, largely triggered by unchecked illegal infiltration from the Bangladesh border. It is now a major threat to the identity and stability of the region. Let us dig deeper into the consequences: a massive outflow of the Hindus from their ancestral homes, narratives dictated over political banks, riots stirred by demographic pressures, which follows a survival battle...and a demand for vigilance. 

The high-stakes arena of West Bengal witnesses victories relying on slim margins, and now the Bangladeshi muslims have emerged as a formidable electoral force, enough to influence and reshape the state's alliances and policies. The Muslim votebank here now forms 30% of the state electorate, making up to 2.25 crore voters, spread over 102 assembly constituencies, with an outright majority in 74. 

This demographic influence of the illegal infiltrators who can vote through fake identities has led political parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to give importance to appeasement, converting the vulnerable migrants into a strong base that isn't restricted to delivering votes alone. 

This dependency is perfectly stated by Avik Sen, a Kolkata-based political scientist, "Muslims of Bengal support the Trinamool Congress because the ruling party appeases them and they know their interests are protected as long as the Trinamool Congress is in power. As for the Muslims of Bangladeshi origin, they are highly vulnerable and have no option other than voting for the Trinamool Congress." 

The protection shields them from the threat of being deported, as seen in other states, pushing them for an unwavering loyalty towards those in power. 

The electoral mechanism unleashes a very calculated arrangement. Before polls, the TMC ensures the return of migrant workers from various states, such as Maharashtra and Rajasthan, booking their tickets and providing them with cash benefits. As they arrive, many migrants serve as "goonda bahini", the intimidating rivals. As per the CEIC data, it has been estimated that about 75-80% of the 3.34 crore outbound migrants of Bengal are Muslims. This also includes illegals who cross borders for documentation before they migrate to any other place. 

These dynamics are visible enough in some constituencies. Notably, in the 2024 Kaliganj bypoll in Nadia district, which is a 58.5% Muslim electorate, TMC's Alifa Ahmed secured 55.15% of the votes, registering a thumping victory against BJP's Ashish Ghosh. 

TMC called it a thumbs up to Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee's appeal, while the BJP underlined strategic maneuvering. BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar stated, "The Trinamool realises that the BJP is the biggest threat...so they propped up the Congress candidate to cut BJP votes." 

Back then, the Congress-Left alliance had accounted for a 15.21% share. And, out of the 108 of 109 Hindu-majority booths, the BJP could register only 73% of votes, which reveals the Hindus being anxious over a shift in demographics. 

Now, a possible disruption also lies in front of the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s electoral roll revision this year, where it intends to remove non-residents under Section 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. According to the official data, there are 21.67 lakh outbound migrants in Bengal, but in reality, the figures may cross three crores. The deletions that primarily focus on the Muslim core areas, such as Murshidabad and Malda, can harm TMC's control over 45-50 seats, where it won narrowly in 2021. TMC MP Mahua Moitra had called it disenfranchisement while contesting in the Supreme Court, to which Majumdar reacted, "Present address should be the criterion...We will welcome the deletion of the names of voters who live and work elsewhere." 

The pattern of appeasement has been in existence ever since Congress and the Left were in power, but it only intensified during TMC's rule. As the 2026 Assembly elections near, this stands as a primary concern undermining national interests. 

Due to infiltration and constant systemic pressures, Hindus are moving out of their ancestral homes on a large scale. In Baduria, North 24 Parganas, the Hindu population has declined significantly, from a rough 68% in the 1970s to only 32% today. They accounted for 58% in Kaliganj in 1951, falling to 41.36% in 2011. And, as per estimates, it might be 39% in 2025, propelled by illegal migration and disparate fertility rates. 

Moreover, the displacement is also driven by the criminal tendencies of these Rohingya infiltrators, backed by TMC networks. They are the muscle men for certain political figures in regions like Sandeshkali, who go on to capture lands, harass women, and bully Hindus. Locals also call some situations "Love Jihad". The muslims from across the border started objecting to their festivals, turning aggressive over time, showing signs of radicalisation. 

The exodus is seen on the outside, with over 3.34 crore Bengali migrants residing in other states.  Mostly, they look for better economic opportunities, but also look for safer havens like Assam and Odisha. Bangladeshi-origin Muslims now constitute 9% of residents in Sambhalpur, Odisha, who are also behind conflicts such as the 2023 Rath Yatra violence. 

Other factors contributing to the Rohingya influx include Bangladesh's cyclones and rising sea levels, with widespread persecution in their country. This is only eroding their Hindu roots and instilling existential fear among the other communities. 

The continuous imbalance results in riots, which are often staged and concern to the infiltrators. As per the Center for the Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), communal incidents in India surged to 84%, with Bengal featuring above in the list with a high number of festival-related clashes.  

The 2017 Baduria unrest is no secret. Radical influences only escalate such conflicts, spreading hate and deepening prejudices. The 2023 Ram Navami violence has been directly linked to border infiltrators, which was pre-planned and orchestrated by them. Until very recently, the waqf protests in Murshidabad caused widespread bloodshed, with initial investigations revealing the involvement of Bangladeshi elements. 

Such outbreaks only challenge the communal harmony of the state, harming communal bonds and intensifying tensions. 

Moreover, amid all the unrest, what's even concerning is the open proclamation of the formation of an Islamic Republic. TMC Minister Farhad Hakim's statements, time and again, prove the intent and hatred underneath. When he said, "Non-Muslims are blighted people," and urged Muslims to "become a majority". 

These are often preached in Madrassas and instill radicalism among the young and uneducated. The erupting violence is somewhat similar to the 1946 Calcutta killings stirred by the Muslim League. Radicalism is only penetrating deeper into the state over time. 

For the Hindus in Bengal, now the threat looms over their identities. Rohingyas have now started intimidating, making natives feel like outsiders. Some districts have vandalised temples, idols destroyed, and walls defaced with "kafir" slurs on them. 

Estimates show that the Muslims were 27% in 2011, and might reach 35% in 2030, with a 2.4% fertility rate and 15% illegal immigration. Ex-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, while citing Bengal, had warned in March 2025 that "demographic engineering" endangers nationalism. Historian Amiya Basu says, "Bengal's Hindus are shrinking to a minority in their cradle. If we ignore this, we will bequeath our children a partitioned legacy - not by maps, but by fear." 

While socioeconomically, the infiltrators gain a monopoly on government schemes, ousting the real beneficiaries. 

The West Bengal crisis dates back historically, over the 4,096 km border, with TMC's vote bank politics, and the instabilities of Bangladesh, adding to the disastrous effects. There is a need for strict vigilance in this direction, with remedies starting with proper fencing that is fortified, document checks, and more, which is in collaboration with Dhaka. Even the political parties should rise above vote-bank politics and tackle the issue with bipartisanship. And this has to begin today...ahead of the 2026 assembly elections as Bengal stands on the edge, with an uncertain, gloomy future.