Amit Shah said that the strong voter turnout in the first phase of the assembly elections reflects a clear desire for change among the people. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, he expressed confidence that the BJP will secure a decisive mandate, claiming the party will win more than 110 out of the 152 seats that went to polls in the opening phase.

He pointed to the record turnout of over 92 percent as a sign of public enthusiasm and thanked the Election Commission of India and security forces for conducting peaceful polls without any reported deaths. Drawing comparisons with previous elections, he noted that incidents of violence had resulted in a higher number of injuries in 2016 and 2021.

Shah also asserted that the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress government is nearing its end, and predicted that the BJP will form the next government with a clear majority. He reiterated that after May 5, regions historically referred to as Anga, Banga, and Kalinga—modern-day Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha—will all have BJP-led governments.

Highlighting future plans, he said that a Bengali-born and Bengali-speaking leader will be chosen as chief minister if the BJP comes to power in the state. He promised steps to enhance women’s safety, eliminate practices such as “bhaipo tax” and syndicate operations, and create a more business-friendly environment by encouraging investment.