Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday announced that a special “Durga Squad” would be formed to ensure women’s safety if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in West Bengal. Speaking at an election rally, Singh intensified his criticism of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and positioned the BJP as a party focused on law, order, and security.

Addressing the gathering, he said, “We will constitute ‘Durga Squad’ to prevent atrocities against women. Those who will trouble women will be strictly dealt with. I assure you that after the BJP government comes to power, there will be rule of law in the state.” Through this announcement, Singh aimed to highlight women’s safety as a key election issue and reassure voters about stricter enforcement of law and order under a BJP government.

He further framed the upcoming election as a crucial choice for the people of West Bengal. Emphasising the contrast between the ruling party and the BJP, Singh said, “You have to decide if you want fear or safety, corruption or development, dadagiri or democracy. The time has come for change.” He described the election as a turning point for the state and urged voters to support a shift in governance.

Continuing his appeal, Singh added, “This election is about fear versus trust. On May 4, darkness will end and a new morning will dawn, and the lotus will bloom in Bengal.” With this statement, he tried to build momentum for the BJP ahead of the polls and projected confidence in the party’s victory. His remarks were clearly aimed at energising party workers and influencing undecided voters.

Earlier in the day, Singh strongly criticised the performance of the TMC government. He pointed out that the party has been in power for over a decade but has not delivered the expected level of development. “The people of West Bengal gave the TMC three consecutive chances. Fifteen years is not a short time for a state's development. Many states have progressed significantly in just five to eight years,” he said. By making this comparison, Singh attempted to question the effectiveness of the current administration.

He also raised concerns about the state’s economic performance under TMC rule. According to Singh, West Bengal’s contribution to the national economy has declined over the years. “West Bengal's contribution to the country's economy, which used to be 10 per cent, has dwindled to 5 per cent after the TMC came to power,” he alleged. Along with this, he accused the state government of creating an atmosphere of fear, suggesting that governance has weakened in terms of both development and public confidence.

Singh made a direct appeal to women voters during his speech. He highlighted the BJP’s commitment to women’s empowerment and mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures. This promise was positioned as part of a broader effort to increase women’s participation in politics and decision-making.

Expressing strong confidence in the BJP’s chances, Singh said the party is set to win a clear majority in West Bengal. He even suggested that the BJP could secure a two-thirds majority, indicating the party’s high expectations from the election. His statements reflected a campaign strategy focused on both criticism of the current government and promises of reform.

West Bengal is scheduled to vote in two phases, with polling set for April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4. As the election approaches, political leaders from all parties are intensifying their campaigns and making strong appeals to voters across the state.

Singh’s speech combined promises related to safety, especially for women, with criticism of the TMC’s governance record. By introducing the idea of the “Durga Squad” and framing the election as a choice between fear and trust, he sought to connect with voters on both emotional and practical issues. The coming days are expected to see more such high-pitched campaigning as West Bengal prepares for a closely watched electoral contest.