Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asked the district magistrate of South Dinajpur to issue permits to those who reside near the Bangladesh border and have farmland beyond the fences, the directive aimed to pre-empt any move by the Border Security Force (BSF) to issue similar documents.

“The BSF is planning to issue identity cards to people in bordering villagers. They shouldn’t accept it, or else they will be ousted from the country. If required, the district magistrate should issue permits to these people so that they can go beyond the fences for their daily chores,” Mamata said at a public service distribution event in Balurghat on Tuesday afternoon.

Her move, political observers said, is a dual strategy to exert pressure on the Centre — the BSF functions under Union home ministry — and reach out to border residents.

In Bengal, 10 districts share borders with Bangladesh.

Mamata, in her speech, accused the BSF of doing things outside its domain with law and order being a state subject.

“We have reports that in this district (South Dinajpur), the BSF was engaged in managing queues in polling booths in the last Lok Sabha polls. This isn't their job. The district administration and the police should keep a stern watch this time,” she said.

In 2019, the BJP's Sukanta Majumdar won the Balurghat seat. He is now the state BJP unit chief.

She accused the BJP of playing divisive politics ahead of polls. “When it comes to polls, the BJP raises the NRC issue. Let us be clear that we will not let it happen. Such strategies to divide people will not work. We want democracy to prevail. Also, the party is speaking of the CAA. We want to know if Matuas are citizens or not?” asked Mamata.

Her assertion follows recent claims by BJP leaders Santanu Thakur and Suvendu Adhikari that the CAA would be implemented soon.

At public service distribution programmes in Raiganj and Balurghat, Mamata elaborated on her government's numerous welfare schemes and asked for people's support to defeat others.

“Only Trinamul can defeat the Congress, the CPM and the BJP. Bengal will lead the way in the future (in the national political arena). These people (other parties) have not done anything for you and are now seeking votes,” she said in Raiganj.

A Trinamul leader in Raiganj said Mamata’s remarks clearly indicated she was persisting in taking on the BJP alone in Bengal.