Following a historic first phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a press conference in Kolkata on Friday. Citing a record-breaking voter turnout, Shah declared that the tide has turned against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and projected a decisive win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Historic Turnout: A Signal for Change?
The first phase of polling, held on Thursday, covered 152 constituencies across 16 districts. The statistics have stunned political analysts:
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Turnout: Approximately 92.98%, one of the highest figures in Bengal’s electoral history.
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Shah’s Projection: Based on internal party assessments, Shah predicted the BJP would win more than 110 of the 152 seats contested in this phase alone.
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Peaceful Polling: In a departure from Bengal’s historically violent election cycles, Shah noted with satisfaction that there were no reported deaths during the process, credit for which he gave to the Election Commission and security forces.
The BJP’s “Bengal Promise”
Shah outlined the core pillars of the BJP’s governance model should they take power:
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“Son of the Soil” CM: He reiterated that the next Chief Minister would be a Bengali-born leader fluent in the language, countering the TMC’s “outsider” narrative.
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Women’s Safety: Termed a top priority to “free women from fear” in the state.
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Ending the “Syndicate”: Shah pledged an immediate crackdown on “Bhaipo tax” (extortion) and the “syndicate” culture affecting local businesses and traders.
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Corruption Probe: He promised a transparent administration and an investigation into over 30 alleged scams (totaling ₹10,000 crore) by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The “Ganga vs. Yamuna” Political Row
The press conference also touched upon the recent verbal duel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee:
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The Boat Ride: PM Modi’s recent campaign boat ride on the River Ganga was described by Shah as a way to connect with the people and reaffirm the commitment to the “Namami Gange” project.
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Mamata’s Swipe: Banerjee had mocked the PM’s outing, suggesting he look at the “polluted Yamuna in Delhi” instead. Shah dismissed the criticism, stating, “If someone connects with the people… who can object to this?”
Regional Vision: Anga, Banga, and Kalinga
In a significant geopolitical framing, Shah suggested that the BJP was on the verge of establishing governance across the ancient eastern regions of Anga (Assam), Banga (Bengal), and Kalinga (Odisha), signaling a total shift in the political map of Eastern India.
First Phase Snapshot:
| Category | Data/Projection |
| Constituencies | 152 |
| Voter Turnout | 92.98% |
| BJP Projected Seats | 110+ |
| Key Narrative | “Trust over Fear” |
With the second phase of polling approaching, the Home Minister expressed confidence that the momentum from this record-breaking turnout would carry the party to a majority.
