Didi is going: Confident Amit Shah says BJP winning 110 of 152 Phase 1 seats in Bengal

A day after West Bengal recorded its highest-ever voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asserted that the surge in voting signals a decisive shift in favour of the BJP, predicting the end of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure and a clear path for the saffron party to form the next government.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah expressed confidence that the BJP would register a decisive victory, claiming the party is on course to win over 110 of the 152 seats that went to polls in the initial phase.

“Based on the feedback we have received, the people of Bengal have decided their future in the first phase itself. This land has chosen development under the leadership of Narendra Modi. The high voter turnout clearly says that Didi is on her way out and the BJP is set to form the government,” he said.

Elaborating on the party’s internal assessment, Shah added, “The BJP will win more than 110 of the 152 seats. This means that after the second phase, we will be in a position to form a BJP government in West Bengal.”

He further said that enthusiasm among voters is expected to rise in the upcoming phase and urged people to carry forward what he described as a “wave of change.” Shah also projected a broader political shift in eastern India, stating that after May 5, regions such as “Anga, Banga and Kalinga” would come under BJP rule.

"I am confident that in the second phase, there will be more enthusiasm. Now, it is also the responsibility of the voters at the second phase to move forward in this era of change. After the 5th, 'Anga, Banga and Kalinga', all three places will be ruled by the BJP and lotus. And I believe that this is a good sign for our entire East India," he said.

The Union Home Minister also promised to end what he termed a “reign of terror” in the state and restore the rule of law if the BJP comes to power.

“Change means an infiltration-free Bengal, freedom from corruption, appeasement and extortion, along with employment opportunities for the youth,” he said, adding that women’s safety would be a top priority.

Targeting Banerjee, Shah accused her of spreading misinformation about the BJP. “The Chief Minister is creating fear that outsiders will rule Bengal if the BJP comes to power,” he said.

“I want to assure the people that the next Chief Minister will be someone born and educated in Bengal, fluent in Bengali. The only difference is that her nephew will not be in power, the Chief Minister will be a BJP worker,” Shah added.

In the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election held on Thursday, where the BJP and the Trinamool Congress were locked in a direct contest, the state recorded a voter turnout of 91.88 pef cent, which was the highest since Independence. The second phase of polling will be held on April 29, and the results will be declared on May 4.