Kolkata: Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah, campaigning in West Bengal on Friday, launched a sharp attack on the Congress, saying the party is being ignored both by the public and by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, according to NDTV.

‘No attention from people or Mamata’: Shah on Congress

Shah mocked the Congress, currently led by Mallikarjun Kharge, saying it lacks relevance in the current political landscape.

“The Congress’s situation is such that it is neither getting bhav (attention) from the janata (people) nor from Mamata,” Shah said when asked about the party’s criticism of the BJP.

TMC and Congress contesting separately in Bengal

The Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), which were partners under the opposition INDIA bloc ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, are contesting the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls separately.

BJP confident of victory in West Bengal

Expressing confidence in the BJP’s prospects, Shah said a political change is coming in the state, which has been governed by the TMC since 2011.

“There is going to be a change in West Bengal,” he said, adding that the BJP is well placed to win the election comfortably.

Comments on election security

Shah dismissed concerns about law and order during the upcoming polls, stating that security arrangements put in place by the Election Commission would prevent any malpractice.

“The manner in which the Election Commission has made security arrangements, I don’t think any goon can steal votes,” he said.

Reply to TMC allegations against Election Commission

Responding to allegations by the TMC that the Election Commission favours the BJP, Shah said such claims were politically motivated.

He alleged that Mamata Banerjee often raises such concerns to gain sympathy from voters.

“Elections are taking place in five states. There were no allegations. Mamata ji has a habit of attempting to gain sympathy votes. But this time, the people of Bengal have decided to say ‘tata, bye-bye’ to Mamata Banerjee,” he said.

Election Commission controversy

The remarks come after a recent dispute involving TMC leader Derek O’Brien, who alleged that his party’s delegation was told to “get lost” by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during a meeting.

However, sources within the Election Commission told NDTV that O’Brien had raised his voice during the meeting and asked the Chief Election Commissioner not to speak.

Allegations over BJP links with suspended MLA

Shah also responded to accusations that suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, who has been at the centre of controversy over an alleged sting operation claim involving a Rs 1,000 crore deal, was acting as a “BJP B-team” member.

Rejecting the allegation, Shah said the BJP would not associate with anyone who supported the idea of building a Babri Masjid in West Bengal.

“The BJP will never side with a person who wants to make Babri Masjid in Bengal. We would rather be the opposition,” he said.

Kabir had earlier gained attention for his campaign to build a mosque in the state.

When asked about seat projections, Shah said the BJP expects a comfortable win in West Bengal.

“We will win with a comfortable margin. I will be able to say anything concrete only after the first phase of the elections. However, we will easily surpass the halfway mark or even go further,” he said.

Election schedule and past results

Elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC secured a decisive victory with 213 seats, while the BJP won 77 seats.

With agency inputs