NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a sharp attack on Mamata Banerjee and her government after a heavy voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, claiming the people of the state had voted for change and that the Bharatiya Janata Party was heading for an absolute majority.Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the Trinamool Congress government’s exit was near and projected a sweeping BJP victory.”Didi jaane waali hai, BJP aane waala hai.”He also said voters had already made up their minds in the opening phase of polling.”People have decided to vote out didi.”Shah claimed the BJP’s internal assessment showed strong gains in the seats that voted in phase one.”In the feedback we have received, the people of Bengal have decided their future at the first phase… 92.98% voting done on the 52 seats in the 16 districts meant that Didi is about go and BJP is set to come, fear is about to go and trust is going to come. We have done an assessment with all the members of the committee last night…. BJP is going to win more than 110 seats out of 152 seats… This means that after the second election phase, we are going to make the government of the BJP purely in Bengal.”He said the first phase turnout reflected public demand for political change. “Yesterday, in the first phase of voting for the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections, Breaking all records, the people of Bengal voted with unprecedented enthusiasm and zeal for change in Bengal. The voter turnout is encouraging for those across the country who believe in democracy… I want to congratulate and thank all the voters of Bengal who cast their votes in the first phase. You have begun the journey from fear to trust so successfully, and the voters of the second phase will also continue this journey from fear to trust.”Shah also promised that if voted to power, the BJP would appoint a Bengal-born, Bengali-speaking chief minister and focus on law and order, women’s safety and governance reforms.”The formation of the government of the BJP in Bengal is of great importance. Our first priority will be to provide security to the women of Bengal and to liberate them from fear.”Targeting the ruling party over corruption allegations, Shah accused the Banerjee government of institutionalising graft.”Mamata Banerjee has done the work of institutionalising corruption. Through more than 30 frauds, more than Rs 10,000 crores of corruption has taken place in Bengal. Our government will definitely provide a corrupt-free, transparent administration.”He added that alleged corruption cases would be investigated by a retired Supreme Court judge and those found guilty would face punishment.Shah also accused the state government of allowing extortion and syndicate rule, saying traders would no longer have to pay what he called “Bhatija Tax” or “Bhaipo Tax” under a BJP government.On election conduct, Shah praised the Election Commission of India, CAPFs and Bengal Police for peaceful polling.”Because after a long period in Bengal, not a single person has died (during the elections). This type of election has taken place, which is a wonder in itself…”Claiming momentum was firmly with his party, Shah concluded: “I am witnessing a tsunami (in support of BJP). I feel that we will win seats with a huge margin.”The remarks come as campaigning intensifies ahead of the next phases of the Bengal Assembly elections, with the BJP seeking to unseat Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress after more than a decade in power.
