KOLKATA — Asserting that “Didi is leaving and the BJP is coming,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday projected a landslide victory for his party following the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah interpreted the unprecedented voter participation as a definitive mandate for regime change.
The first phase, which covered 152 constituencies across 16 districts on Thursday, recorded a staggering 92.98% voter turnout, marking one of the highest figures in the state’s post-independence history.
Internal Projections: 110+ Seats
Citing internal party assessments conducted immediately after polling concluded, Shah expressed extreme confidence in the BJP’s performance in the opening round.
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Dominant Lead: Shah predicted the BJP would secure more than 110 seats out of the 152 that went to the polls.
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Peaceful Polling: He extended gratitude to the Election Commission and security forces, highlighting that the phase passed without a single reported death—a significant milestone given Bengal’s history of electoral violence.
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A “New Bengal”: The Home Minister promised a transition from “fear to trust,” vowing to end the era of political intimidation and “syndicate” extortion.
Governance Pledges and Anti-Corruption Stance
Shah used the platform to outline the BJP’s roadmap for governance should they seize power in the state:
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Bengali Leadership: He reiterated that the state’s next Chief Minister would be a “Bhumiputra” (son of the soil) and a fluent Bengali speaker.
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Investigation of Scams: The Home Minister promised to appoint a retired Supreme Court judge to probe over 30 alleged scams involving ₹10,000 crore, specifically targeting the so-called “Bhaipo tax” (nephew tax).
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Women’s Safety: A BJP administration would prioritize the security of women, aiming to make the state “fear-free” for all citizens.
The “Ganga vs. Yamuna” Rivalry
The campaign trail saw a war of words regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent boat ride on the River Ganga.
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PM’s Outreach: Shah defended the move, stating it was a spiritual and environmental connection with those living on the riverbanks.
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Mamata’s Counter: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded by acknowledging the Ganga is clean in Bengal but challenged the PM to address the pollution of the Yamuna in Delhi.
Electoral Snapshot: Phase 1
| Metric | Detail |
| Total Seats in Phase 1 | 152 Constituencies |
| Final Voter Turnout | 92.98% |
| BJP Predicted Seats | 110+ |
| Next Phase | April 29, 2026 |
“The support shown in favor of the BJP has sounded the conch shell of its victory,” Shah stated, echoing the Prime Minister’s sentiments from earlier in the day.
As the state moves toward the second and final phase of polling on April 29, the high-stakes political drama remains centered on whether this record turnout signifies deep-seated anti-incumbency or a successful mobilization of the Trinamool Congress’s core base.
