Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday exuded confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prospects in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly Elections, claiming that the party is set to win more than 110 seats following the first phase of polling. He pointed to the record voter turnout as a clear indication of a shifting political mood in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah described the nearly 93 per cent turnout across 52 constituencies in 16 districts as “historic” and reflective of the electorate’s desire for change. “The people of West Bengal have already made their choice in the first phase. Such an unprecedented turnout shows that ‘Didi’ is on her way out and the BJP is on its way in. Fear will go, and trust will take its place,” he said, in a direct attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
Shah went a step further, asserting that internal assessments by BJP leaders suggest the party could secure more than 110 out of 152 seats covered in the early phases. “After reviewing feedback with our committee members, we are confident that BJP will cross the 110-seat mark. This puts us firmly on track to form the next government in Bengal,” he said.
The Home Minister also expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the elections, noting the absence of violence—a departure from the state’s often turbulent electoral history. He credited the Election Commission of India, central armed police forces, and the state police for ensuring peaceful polling. “For the first time in a long while, not a single life was lost during voting. This shows that free and fair elections are possible in Bengal,” Shah remarked.
Highlighting the BJP’s broader vision, Shah said that West Bengal stands at the cusp of a “development journey” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that voters are increasingly aligning with the promise of economic growth, infrastructure development, and improved governance.
Responding to concerns raised by the TMC about “outsiders” ruling the state, Shah dismissed the narrative as misinformation. “The next Chief Minister of Bengal will be someone born and educated in Bengal, who speaks Bengali. The only difference is that it will not be your nephew—it will be a BJP worker,” he said, taking a veiled dig at the political influence of Banerjee’s family.
As the high-stakes electoral battle unfolds, Shah’s remarks signal the BJP’s aggressive push to unseat the incumbent government in one of India’s most politically significant states. With more phases of voting yet to come, the outcome of the West Bengal Assembly Elections is expected to have far-reaching implications for the national political landscape.
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