The BRICS TimesUnion Home Minister Amit Shah, during a massive roadshow in Behala and Chandannagar, assured West Bengal voters that central security forces will remain deployed across the state for 60 days after the assembly elections wrap up a clear signal that the BJP-led Centre is serious about preventing any post-poll violence.
Shah Leads Massive Saffron Roadshow in South Kolkata
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stormed through south Kolkata on Monday the final day of campaigning leading a thunderous roadshow in Behala ahead of the second and last phase of the West Bengal assembly elections on April 29. Standing atop an open-hood vehicle, Shah waved at supporters and tossed flower petals on cheering crowds. Thousands of BJP workers lined the streets, waving saffron flags and orange-green balloons. Chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” filled the air as the convoy rolled through.
The roadshow backed BJP candidates for Behala Purba and Behala Paschim turning the neighbourhood into a sea of saffron. Later that evening, Shah led another huge roadshow at Chandannagar in Hooghly district, which drew similarly large and enthusiastic crowds.
“Central Forces Will Stay Here for 60 More Days”
Addressing the crowd at Behala, Shah made a striking promise to voters anxious about intimidation. “Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry about Didi’s (Mamata Banerjee’s) goons. The Election Commission has deployed CAPF at every nook and corner, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power after the elections, central forces will remain here for 60 more days,” he said.
The remark direct and loud was a clear message from the Centre about its commitment to post-poll law and order. The Election Commission had earlier indicated that around 500 CAPF companies would stay back in West Bengal even after results are declared on May 4.
A Warning to TMC Supporters in Chandannagar
Shah did not stop at reassurance he issued a sharp warning too. “I want to warn Didi’s goons in Chandannagar – do not step out to intimidate voters on April 29. After May 4, the BJP will punish the culprits and hang them upside down,” he said at the Chandannagar rally. The warning was pointed and unmistakable Shah is known for such direct campaign rhetoric, and this time he left little room for ambiguity.
TMC Accused of Shielding Infiltrators for Vote-Bank Politics
Shah went after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the infiltration issue one of the BJP’s core campaign themes in Bengal. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress shelters illegal immigrants purely to protect its vote bank. “Didi feels pain when we say infiltrators must be removed. She is opposing SIR. Right now, names have been removed from electoral rolls, and after May 4, all infiltrators will be identified and removed from Bengal,” he said.
He further alleged that Mamata Banerjee was obstructing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process designed to clean up electoral rolls and suggested that TMC’s opposition to it was motivated by electoral calculations rather than any genuine concern.
UCC, Polygamy Ban, and the “Sonar Bangla” Promise
After the Behala roadshow, Shah reiterated the BJP’s big-ticket promises for Bengal if voted to power. He confirmed that the party would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the state. “A BJP government is going to be formed. We will implement the UCC,” he declared. He went a step further asserting that after May 4, no one in Bengal would be permitted to practice polygamy.
Shah also took a swipe at the TMC government over what he called rampant corruption in social welfare schemes. He said only a BJP government could ensure real governance, restore peace and order, and build what he described as “Sonar Bangla” a prosperous and golden Bengal.
Babri Masjid Remark Targeting Suspended TMC MLA
In one of his sharpest attacks during the entire campaign, Shah invoked the Ram temple-Babri Masjid issue. He targeted suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir also the founder of the AJUP accusing Mamata Banerjee of wanting him to build a “Babri Masjid” in Bengal. “Mamata Didi wants her associate Humayun Kabir to build a Babri Masjid in Bengal. Didi, listen carefully. Bengal is in India. We will never allow a Babri Masjid to be built in Bengal,” he said. The remark immediately grabbed headlines and sparked a fresh round of political reactions.
50+ Rallies, Stationed in Kolkata Since April 20
Shah addressed more than 50 rallies and roadshows across West Bengal during the two-phase election campaign. He had been stationed in Kolkata since the night of April 20 closely monitoring the party’s ground strategy and organisational mobilisation. It was an unusually intense personal commitment from a Union Minister underlining just how crucial West Bengal is to the BJP’s national ambitions.
The first phase of the 294-seat assembly election was held on April 23, recording a record 93 per cent voter turnout across 152 constituencies. The second and final phase is set for April 29, with votes counted on May 4.
