Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated during a Kolkata press conference that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expects to secure more than 110 of the 152 seats contested in West Bengal’s initial voting phase. He based this on assessments from his 14-day stay in the state and the party’s local team.
Shah emphasized that the strong voter participation indicates support for the BJP, attributing it to secure and unbiased polling. He claimed residents have chosen to remove Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from power.
Including the upcoming second phase, Shah predicted the BJP would form the next government. He praised the Election Commission and security forces for overseeing peaceful elections without any fatalities or violence, a first in recent times.
The final voting round is scheduled for April 29.
Shah noted the high turnout as a move from intimidation to confidence, echoing sentiments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other party figures.
He expressed gratitude to first-phase voters for their participation and encouraged those in the second phase to continue this trend.
Shah highlighted enthusiastic responses to BJP rallies and roadshows led by Modi and others, dispelling concerns about voter turnout.
He reaffirmed that the next chief minister would be a local Bengali BJP member, countering opposing claims.
Urging fearless voting, Shah commended the Election Commission’s measures against irregularities and called for support to build a progressive Bengal under BJP rule.
He described the first phase as a record-breaking display of enthusiasm for change and development.
Responding to questions about challenges in West Bengal, Shah cited BJP successes in other difficult states like Assam and Tripura.
Shah confidently foresaw a massive BJP win, likening it to a tidal wave that would ensure substantial margins.
On high turnout potentially favoring the incumbent, he explained the party’s push for change, including ending infiltration, appeasement politics, and reclaiming encroached lands for development, similar to efforts in Assam.
