Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure 110 seats in the first phase of polling in West Bengal, while reiterating the party's commitment to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state.
High voter turnout in first phase
Voting was held in 152 of the 294 Assembly constituencies of West Bengal on April 23, recording a turnout of over 92 per cent, according to the Election Commission. The high turnout indicates intense political engagement among voters.
Shah's campaign promise
Addressing a rally, Shah said, "The BJP will win 110 seats in the first phase itself. We will also implement CAA in Bengal, ensuring citizenship for persecuted minorities." He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of "appeasement politics" and promised development under a BJP government.
The CAA, which grants citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India before 2015, has been a contentious issue in West Bengal. The TMC has opposed the law, calling it discriminatory.
Political reactions
The TMC dismissed Shah's claims, with party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stating, "The people of Bengal will reject the BJP's divisive agenda. The TMC will win over 200 seats." The first phase results are expected on May 2.
West Bengal is crucial for the BJP's national expansion plans. In the 2021 assembly elections, the BJP won 77 seats, its best performance in the state, while the TMC secured 213 seats.
