(Web Desk) - Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya on Saturday said the Maharashtra government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had cancelled 224,000 allegedly fake birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi nationals and announced plans for a “special campaign” to identify and deport undocumented migrants following local body elections.
Speaking to Indian media, Somaiya said: “Maharashtra is the first state where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has cancelled 224,000 fake birth certificates of Bangladeshi citizens.” He added that a statewide drive would begin after January 16 to identify Bangladeshi nationals living “illegally” in Maharashtra.
“A special drive will be launched after the elections to identify each and every one of them and deport the Bangladeshi nationals,” Somaiya said, adding that authorities would scrutinise Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter identity cards, and birth certificates, according to local media reports.
The remarks follow similar statements earlier this week by Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on action against undocumented migrants.
Somaiya also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of opposing investigations for political reasons.
“Mamata Banerjee does not show any concern about the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. She sees the vote bank before the upcoming assembly elections,” he said.
“Her vote bank includes people of Bangladeshi origin. All this comes out, so she does not want to allow any investigation to proceed.”
He further alleged that Bangladeshi nationals had settled in large numbers in West Bengal and Assam. “Today in these states, Bangladeshi citizens decide the leadership,” Somaiya said, without providing evidence.
Somaiya also targeted All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and regional political rivals in Maharashtra.
The BJP leader also criticised opposition candidates for their campaign practices, accusing them of promoting what he described as “extremism.”
Citing demographic changes in Mumbai, Somaiya noted that the city’s Muslim population had increased from 8.8% in 1947 to 24.8% at present.
“Bharatiya Janata Party will not tolerate any compromise on repatriation of Bangladeshi citizens,” he said.
Somaiya’s remarks come amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladeshi officials allege that New Delhi has long meddled in their domestic politics, operating behind the scenes and influencing political outcomes.
Dhaka has expressed concern that the Indian system is increasingly replacing Bangladesh’s electoral process, casting shadows over upcoming elections. For Bangladesh, such statements from Indian political leaders underscore fears over sovereignty, democratic integrity, and activist safety, reflecting a marked deterioration in bilateral relations since Hasina’s exit.