In a campaign event in Bankura, West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to eliminate what he described as a syndicate run by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to favor her nephew, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.
Shah stated that a BJP-led government would fully eradicate this network, which he claimed exploits the state’s residents. He highlighted the neglect of Bankura over the past 15 years and called for change in the upcoming elections.
He further criticized Banerjee for blocking potato exports to nearby states like Jharkhand and Odisha, leading to low prices for local farmers. Shah assured that under BJP rule, these potatoes would be marketed to those states and beyond, ensuring better returns for growers.
Addressing women’s security, Shah condemned Banerjee’s reported advice that females avoid going out at night, referencing a recent gangrape incident in Durgapur. He contrasted this with conditions in BJP-governed Assam, where he said women can travel safely even late at night.
The BJP has nominated incumbent MLA Niladri Shekhar Dana for the Bankura constituency, facing TMC’s Anup Mondal. Dana secured a narrow victory in 2021 against TMC’s Sayantika Banerjee by a 0.7 percent margin.
Voting for the West Bengal Assembly will occur in two phases on April 23 and 29, with results announced on May 4. This follows the 2021 elections where TMC won 213 seats, while BJP increased its presence to 77 seats from a smaller base.
(This report is based on an ANI news service feed. ThePrint is not responsible for the content.)
