Amit Shah criticises Mamata Banerjee for losing Bhabanipur, announcing Suvendu Adhikari as BJP’s Chief Minister candidate for West Bengal.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has sharply criticised Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He made this remark while formally introducing Suvendu Adhikari as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Chief Ministerial candidate for West Bengal, following Adhikari’s victory in the Bhabanipur constituency, historically a stronghold for Banerjee.
“Suvendu da ne ghar mein aa ke haraya (Suvendu da came to your home turf and defeated you),” Shah stated, highlighting the significance of Adhikari’s win against Banerjee in the south Kolkata area. This comment was made during a crucial BJP meeting that also named Adhikari as the party’s legislative party leader, marking the BJP’s first opportunity to lead the West Bengal government.
Shah characterised the BJP’s recent electoral success as a pivotal moment in the state’s political history. He remarked, “Didi ka supra saaf ho gaya (Didi has been wiped out on her home turf),” indicating the extent of the BJP’s grasp on the electoral climate in West Bengal.
“For five long decades, Bengal has suffered from the erosion of democracy, the collapse of law and order. Today, Bengal is entering a new phase,” Shah added. He emphasised the BJP’s commitment to honouring the pledges made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign.
The BJP’s notable achievements include securing its position as the dominant party across 20 of West Bengal’s 30 districts, with significant wins in Purba Medinipur, Asansol, Purulia, and Bankura. Shah asserted, “There is not a single district where we do not have an MLA.”
In his address, he highlighted the record voter turnout of over 93 per cent during the Assembly elections, which he claimed passed without any fatalities. Shah congratulated the Election Commission, state officials, and security forces for overseeing what he termed a model election.
Addressing concerns regarding allegations of polarisation, Shah clarified, “This is not about polarisation. This is an issue of national security.” He stated that the BJP intends to tackle threats directly and systematically across the nation.
Shah also directed his critique towards the Congress party, suggesting their pattern of defeats necessitated serious self-reflection. He remarked, “Those in politics who refuse self-reflection can never truly achieve victory.”
Following the election results, Shah congratulated Suvendu Adhikari for his appointment as Chief Minister, labelling the outcome a “historic mandate”. He expressed confidence in Adhikari’s leadership abilities and said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes (to him). I hope this historic mandate becomes the means to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of the people of Bengal.”
Reflecting on their long-term relationship, Shah acknowledged that he has known Adhikari for many years and recognised his resilience in the face of challenges posed by the administration. “The administration created many hurdles, yet Suvendu ji carried on with determination. I have complete faith in him. The struggle he carried out has produced results today,” he remarked.
Shah expressed gratitude to the citizens of West Bengal for their trust in the BJP, citing its historical challenges regarding free and fair voting. He stated, “The atmosphere that had been created since the Communist era was deepened by Mamata Banerjee, and it was almost impossible to cast your vote there.”
Calling on party workers to pursue the vision of ‘Sonar Bangla’ (Golden Bengal), Shah invoked sentiments from Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore, aspiring for a future where citizens can aspire without fear. “This victory is linked to what PM Modi had said that eastern and western India must progress together,” he asserted, urging all political bodies to strengthen democratic processes and eliminate election-related violence.
The BJP made history by ending the TMC’s 15-year governance in West Bengal, securing 207 out of 293 seats, while the TMC managed only 80 seats. Adhikari’s victory against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur marks his second win over her, having previously defeated her in Nandigram during the 2021 elections.
