Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the exit of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) from West Bengal is “imminent,” claiming a strong showing by the BJP in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the BJP is poised to win 110 out of the 152 seats that went to polls in the first phase on Thursday. “People of Bengal broke all records in the first phase, voting enthusiastically for change,” he said, adding that the high turnout reflected a desire to move from “an atmosphere of fear to one of hope.”
He also thanked the Election Commission of India, the Central forces, and the state police for ensuring what he described as a peaceful polling process. “For the first time, Bengal has witnessed an election free of fatalities,” Shah noted.
The Union Home Minister dismissed claims by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that a BJP government in the state would install an “outsider” as Chief Minister. “Bengal’s next Chief Minister will be from the BJP—a son of the soil, educated in Bengali medium and fluent in the language,” he said, adding that “no nephew will become Chief Minister.”
Shah further alleged large-scale corruption under the current regime, claiming irregularities across 32 sectors amounting to Rs 10,000 crore. He announced that a White Paper would be released and that a retired High Court judge would be appointed to investigate the alleged scams. “Those responsible will face strict action, including imprisonment,” he said.
Raising concerns over law and order, Shah accused the state government of allowing a “disturbing trend” of attacks on religious festivals and pledged that a BJP government would ensure such incidents do not recur. “Our goal is to establish the rule of law and free Bengal from political violence,” he stated.
Highlighting the BJP’s growth in the state, Shah said the party had risen from just three seats to 77 in the Assembly, expressing confidence that forming the government was now within reach. “It is not the BJP that forms the government, but the people. This time, the people of Bengal will form a BJP government,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Mamata, Shah accused her of opposing every move by Narendra Modi. “She objects whether he eats jhalmuri or takes a boat ride on the Ganges,” he remarked.
Shah also claimed that anti-incumbency sentiment had reached a peak, alleging that earlier elections were marred by intimidation. “This time, arrangements by the administration and forces have ensured fear-free voting. I foresee a ‘vote tsunami’ in favour of the BJP,” he said.
The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, with counting of votes set for May 4.
Meanwhile, the political temperature in the state continues to rise as Prime Minister Modi and Shah intensify campaigning across multiple regions on Friday. From Kolkata to North 24 Parganas and Hooghly, the BJP’s top leadership is leading a series of rallies, marking a high-voltage push ahead of the crucial next phase of voting.
Follow us
