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Honorable Union Minister of Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed a press conference in Kolkata.
Speaking to the media personnel Shri Shah said, I would like to congratulate and thank all the voters who participated in the first phase of voting. You have begun this journey from fear to trust in a very positive manner. Voters in the second phase will also carry this journey forward.
I would also like to congratulate the Election Commission, all CAPF personnel, the entire administrative machinery assisting the Commission, and the West Bengal Police. After a long time, Bengal has witnessed an election in which not a single death has occurred. Breaking all previous records of voting, the people of Bengal have voted with unprecedented enthusiasm and energy for change. The voter turnout percentage reflects the growing faith of people in democracy across the country.
Based on the feedback we have received, the people of Bengal have already decided their future in the first phase itself. This land of Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Khudiram Bose has chosen development. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi Ji, the journey of India’s development is progressing, and voters in Bengal have clearly indicated that Bengal is ready to join this journey.
Voting across 152 seats in 16 districts, with a turnout of 92.98%, clearly indicates that Didi is on her way out and BJP is set to come in. Fear will go, and trust will come. After conducting an internal assessment late last night with all our party workers, I want to clearly state that out of 152 seats, BJP is set to win more than 110 seats. This means that after the second phase, BJP will form a government in Bengal with a decisive majority.
Let me also present some figures. In the 2016 elections, 1,278 people were injured; in 2021, 1,681; in the 2023 panchayat elections, 664; and in the 2024 general elections, 761. In comparison, fewer than 30 people were injured yesterday. This shows that the election has been largely peaceful. There has not been a single death. The increase in voter turnout is a vote for change and for forming a BJP government.
There was always a concern that while there is public support, will people reach polling stations? That concern has now ended. I am confident that voter enthusiasm will increase even more in the second phase.
After a long time, after May 5, Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha will all have BJP governments. The rule of the lotus will prevail, which will be a positive sign for the entire eastern region of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji had said in 2014 that both arms of Bharat Mata must develop equally. While western regions have developed significantly, eastern regions have lagged behind. With BJP governments across the East, the pace of Purvodaya under the leadership of Modi Ji will accelerate.
The Chief Minister of Bengal is spreading misinformation that if BJP comes to power, outsiders will rule. I want to tell her that the next Chief Minister of Bengal will be born in Bengal, educated in Bengali medium, and will speak Bengali. The only difference is that he will not be her nephew; he will be a BJP worker.
One of our top priorities will be ensuring the safety of women and freeing them from fear. A Chief Minister who says women should not step out after 7 PM has no right to govern. I assure the women of Bengal that after May 5, even at 1 AM, a young girl riding a scooter will be completely safe—no goon will dare to look at her with ill intent.
We have given tickets to the mother of the RG Kar victim and a victim from Sandeshkhali. Those who suffered under TMC goons will now sit in the Assembly and make strict laws against such elements.
We will abolish the “nephew tax” on traders and eliminate the syndicate system. The politicization of administration and criminalization of politics has become a deep-rooted problem. We will free Bengal from this.
There has been no organized effort to modernize agriculture in Bengal for the last 50 years. With the blessings of the Ganga and water availability, farmers continue traditional practices. We will establish major research centers for crops like potatoes, paddy, Malda’s famous mangoes, and betel leaves, and promote scientific farming.
Mamata Banerjee has institutionalized corruption. More than ₹10,000 crore has been lost through over 32 scams. Our government will ensure transparent governance and issue a white paper on corruption. Investigations will be conducted by retired Supreme Court judges, and strict punishment will be given to the guilty.
We appeal to voters to bring real change. Change does not mean just replacing MLAs or forming a new government—it means making Bengal infiltration-free, ensuring secure borders, ending corruption and appeasement politics, eliminating extortion and syndicate raj, promoting industries and employment, building modern infrastructure, and freeing administration from political pressure.
We will launch a massive anti-encroachment drive in Bengal on the lines of Assam to reclaim land encroached by infiltrators.
We will also ensure that no religious festival—be it Ram Navami, Saraswati Puja, or Durga Visarjan—faces any disruption.
In conclusion, I want to say that a large part of the country has already joined the journey for a developed India under Narendra Modi Ji. The love, enthusiasm, and trust of the people are clearly visible. I believe this trust will convert into votes and ensure BJP’s victory.
Once again, I urge voters in the second phase to vote fearlessly and freely. The Election Commission has made strong arrangements to prevent rigging. Forget the past and vote for Bengal’s bright future. Form a BJP government.
Finally, I once again thank the voters of the first phase and the entire election machinery under the leadership of the Election Commission.