Kolkata, April 10 Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in a colorful roadshow in West Bengal's Kharagpur Sadar constituency on Friday, drawing large crowds of supporters.
The roadshow in Paschim Medinipur district saw thousands lining the streets as Shah, accompanied by BJP candidate and former state president Dilip Ghosh, traveled around 2 km in a vehicle decorated with flowers through the town.
Amid chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by BJP supporters, the leaders waved at people gathered along the route and on nearby buildings, and showered flower petals on the crowd.
Traditional drums (dhaks) were played, while saffron flags and decorations adorned the vehicle and the procession.
Devotional songs were played over public address systems, and cultural troupes performed from vehicles moving along with the convoy.
Earlier in the day, addressing a public meeting at Debra in the district, Shah accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting infiltrators, and asserted that if the BJP is voted to power, it would identify and deport every illegal immigrant from the state.
He also alleged that the Trinamool Congress government had institutionalized corruption through a "cut-money" (commission) culture.
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases – on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.