Kolkata, April 2 Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Thursday that a change in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata would automatically lead to a change in government in West Bengal. In Bhabanipur, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting against the leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.
Addressing a gathering during a roadshow in Bhabanipur ahead of the nomination filing by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, HM Shah said, "The BJP is steadily moving towards winning 170 constituencies in West Bengal in the upcoming elections, by securing victories one by one. But I have a shortcut. If the voters of Bhabanipur can ensure a candidate's victory here, then there will automatically be a change in government in West Bengal.”
Shah also stated that Adhikari had previously defeated the Chief Minister at the Nandigram assembly constituency in East Midnapore district in 2021. "At that time, the Chief Minister went on to form her government in West Bengal. But she herself was defeated in Nandigram. So this time, I told Adhikari to contest from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. I am confident that the Trinamool Congress will be defeated in West Bengal and the Chief Minister will be defeated in Bhabanipur," Shah said.
He also said that he will be in West Bengal for 16 days until the elections on April 29. "I will have many opportunities to speak with you. Today, I have come to nominate our candidates, especially Suvendu Adhikari," Shah said.
Meanwhile, tension erupted when the convoy of Amit Shah and Suvendu Adhikari was approaching the Alipore Survey Building for Adhikari's nomination filing. A group of Trinamool Congress activists allegedly gathered near Harish Chatterjee Street, close to the residences of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, and reportedly attacked BJP supporters accompanying the convoy.
One BJP supporter sustained serious injuries in the incident. After the convoy moved away, BJP supporters allegedly retaliated, leading to heightened tension in the area. The police struggled to control the situation and had to resort to baton charges to disperse the clashing groups.
The state BJP leadership later questioned the police over allowing Trinamool Congress supporters to assemble along the route, citing security concerns related to the Union Home Minister.
