Bengal polls LIVE: Amit Shah promises 33% reservation for women if BJP wins

It is for the first time in the run up to the elections that Mamata Banerjee and Shah are holding rallies in the same district. Stay tuned for West Bengal election 2021 campaigns LIVE updates

8:53 PM

First fight Abhishek, then me: Mamata Banerjee challenges Amit Shah

Hitting out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's 'Didi-Bhaipo' jibes, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday challenged him to contest an election against her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and then think of fighting her. Addressing a party rally in Pailan in the South 24 Parganas district, Banerjee said that Abhishek could have taken the easy route of being an MP by choosing to be a Rajya Sabha member but he fought the Lok Sabha election and got the people's mandate.

 

"Day and night they are talking about Didi-Bhatija. I challenge Amit Shah, contest against Abhishek Banerjee first and then me," she said, amid a loud cheer from supporters.

 

Banerjee said that she has neither made Abhishek the deputy chief minister nor the chief minister and he is just an elected MP.

7:49 PM

BJP to hold more than 1,500 rallies in poll-bound West Bengal

With just months remaining before the assembly polls in West Bengal, the BJP, engaged in a bitter fight against the ruling Trinamool Congress, is planning more than 1,500 rallies in the state. These rallies will be addressed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, and Ministers of the BJP ruled states, senior national and state leaders of the party.

 

Polls for 294 seats West Bengal assembly will be held in April-May this year.

 

While addressing a public meeting at Kakdwip on Thursday during Poribortan Yatra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Big rallies will be held at assembly level. Over 1,500 sabhas (public meetings) will be held and workers from each and every booth will participate in it." A BJP leader associated with preparations of the party's programme in West Bengal said that focus will be on reaching out to each and every voter of the state and establishing direct communication with them.

6:35 PM

Amit Shah visits migrant family's home for lunch in West Bengal

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday visited a migrant family's home in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district and had lunch there along with other BJP leaders. Shah visited Subrata Biswas's home in Narayanpur village in Diamond Harbour, the Lok Sabha constituency of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Biswas, a BJP worker, said he built his home with assistance from the PM Awas Yojana, PTI reported.

 

The home of the migrant family from Bangladesh was decorated to welcome the high-profile guests.

 

Shah reached Biswas's home on an e-rickshaw through a narrow kuchcha road around 2.45 pm and was there for around 30 minutes. BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mukul Roy accompanied him. They were welcomed by local women blowing the traditional conch shells. The BJP leaders were served the vegetarian lunch on traditional brass plates and glasses. The menu had ghee-rice, a spread of bhajas (fried veggies), aloo-fulkopir torkari (curry of potato and cauliflower), paneer, roti, dal, chatni and sweets.

5:50 PM

TMC brought cut-money and syndicate culture, BJP will bring development in Bengal: Shah

Alleging that the TMC government has introduced a "cut-money and syndicate culture" in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday said if voted to power BJP would constitute an inquiry into the siphoning off cyclone Amphan relief funds and book the culprits. Shah said BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra' is not for changing a chief minister, an MLA or a minister but ending infiltration and transforming West Bengal into a developed state.

 

"This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal). This fight is between our booth workers and the syndicate of TMC. It is not just our aim to bring BJP government after removing Mamata Banerjee's ministry.

 

"Our goal is to ensure that there is a change in the situation in West Bengal, a change in the condition of the poor of the state, a change in circumstances for women of the state," he said.
 

5:30 PM

Amit Shah holds roadshow at Kakdwip in poll-bound West Bengal

Amid chants of "Jai Shri Ram", Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday held a roadshow at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal where assembly election is due in April-May. Standing atop a decorated lorry with state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and others, Shah waved to the crowd that gathered along the 1 km stretch between Smashan Kali Mandir to SBI more in Kakdwip, PTI reported.

 

People also watched the procession from rooftops and balconies and they were seen shooting videos of it with their mobile phones.

 

The streets were lined with the BJP's flags and bunting as the cavalcade inched forward through the narrow and crowded street. Waving party flags, BJP supporters shouted "Jai Shri Ram", "Narendra Modi zindabad" and "Amit Shah zindabad". The South 24 Parganas district has 31 assembly segments and is considered to be a stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

4:29 PM

33% quota for women in govt jobs if BJP wins in Bengal: Amit Shah

In a bid to woo women-voters in poll-bound West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs if the party is voted to power. Shah made the announcement while addressing a huge crowd of supporters in Namkhana village of the South 24 Parganas district and kicking off the fifth and final phase of "Poribortan Yatraa in Bengal. "If we come to power we will provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the government jobs," the Home Minister said.

 

This wasn't the only sop that Shah promised at the public meeting. He also said in case the BJP comes to power, it will works towards implementing the Seventh Pay Commission. Shah said the economy of the state is in such a precarious position that the Seventh Pay Commission is not given to employees of the state government.

 

"If we are voted to power, I promise we will implement the Seventh Pay Commission benefits to all the employees," Shah said.

3:46 PM

BJP will end cut-money culture, bring development in Bengal if voted to power: Amit Shah

Alleging that the TMC government has introduced a "cut-money" culture in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the BJP's fight is to end it and take the state to the path of development if voted to power in the upcoming assembly polls. He said the BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra' is not for changing a chief minister, an MLA or a minister but ending infiltration and transforming West Bengal into a developed state.

 

"This 'Parivartan Yatra' is not for changing a CM, or a minister. It is for ending infiltration and also for the transformation of Bengal. You vote for the BJP. Leave alone illegal immigrants, not even a bird from across the border will be allowed to enter the state," Shah said addressing a rally here.

 

He also spoke about the killings of BJP workers and warned that the perpetrators will be thrown behind bars. The union minister said the BJP is ready to take on the "goons" and the "syndicates" of the ruling TMC.

3:41 PM

Home Minister Amit Shah and other party leaders having lunch at residence of a migrant family from Bangladesh

3:32 PM

Poribortan Yatra: Amit Shah promises 33% reservation to women if party wins in West Bengal

Ahead of Assembly polls in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched BJP's fifth Poribortan Yatra in Kakdwip of South 24 Parganas district. Speaking at the launch event, the Home Minister said his party is fighting to make the state 'Sonar Bangla'.

 

"This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla'. This fight is between our booth workers and the syndicate of TMC Trinamool Congress (TMC)," he said. Shah said that if BJP comes to power in the state, the government will provide more than 33 per cent reservation to women in West Bengal.

 

"It is not our aim to only bring BJP government after removing Mamata Banerjee's government. Our goal is to ensure that there is a change in the situation in West Bengal, a change in the situation of the poor of the state, a change in the situation of women of the state," he stated.

 

After his visit to Gangasagar's Kapil Muni Ashram to offer prayers earlier today the Home Minister said, "This is not about a change in power, this is about bringing respect to Gangasagar, about bringing a change in the fishermen of the region. Can the law and order situation be fine in West Bengal as long as there is Mamata Banerjee's government here? Can Bengal walk on the path to progress?" he asked.

3:10 PM

UP Assembly Budget session: Opposition boycotts Governor's address

Opposition parties raised slogans and staged a walkout during the Governor's address in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on the first day of the Budget session on Thursday, opposing the Centre's three agriculture laws, PTI reported.

Governor Anandiben Patel reached the assembly five minutes late, prompting the Leader of Opposition Ram Gobind Chaudhary to allege that she did not want to address the House due to the atrocities committed against the women in the state.

Seeing the atrocities committed against the women in the state, the Governor did not want to read her address. The Chief Minister and the Speaker convinced her. Then after seven-eight minutes, she completed her quorum, Chaudhary told reporters outside the assembly without substantiating his claim.

3:06 PM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee gets angry at 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan due to her appeasement politics: Amit Shah

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee gets angry at 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan due to her appeasement politics: Amit Shah

3:03 PM

Have full faith BJP will form govt in West Bengal: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday said that he has full faith that the BJP will form the goverment in West Bengal after the upcoming assembly polls and when it does, the Gangasagar Mela will be made part of the international tourist circuit. The 'Namami Gange' programme for cleaning River Ganga will also be ensured in the state, the Union minister said.

 

Shah said, he feels sad about the facilities here since lakhs of pilgrims visit the site annually, and when the BJP comes to power in Bengal, all tourism projects of the Central government will be successfully implemented here, according to PTI.

 

"We will ensure that the Uttarayan Mela (Gangasagar Mela) becomes part of the international tourist circuit...this place becomes a big tourist spot, and its fame spreads across the world," he said after offering obeisance at the Kapil Muni temple. The Kapil Muni temple at the confluence of River Ganga and the Bay of Bengal is a mark of spirituality and conservation of environment, Shah said.

2:58 PM

'Jai Shri Ram' slogan is symbol of anti-appeasement politics: Amit Shah at Bengal rally

'Jai Shri Ram' slogan is symbol of anti-appeasement politics: Amit Shah at Bengal rally

2:47 PM

Shouldn't Durga Puja take place in West Bengal? asks Amit Shah

2:27 PM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches fifth Poribortan Yatra in West Bengal

2:24 PM

LIVE: Amit Shah addressed Poribortan Yatra from Kakdwip in West Bengal

2:24 PM

LIVE: This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla', says Amit Shah

This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla'. This fight is between our booth workers and the syndicate of TMC: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the launch of fifth Poribortan Yatra in Kakdwip of South 24 Parganas district

 

2:24 PM

Can West Bengal walk on the path to progress?: Home Minister Amit Shah

This is not a change in power, this is about bringing respect to Gangasagar, about bringing a change in the fishermen of the region. Can law and order situation be fine in West Bengal as long as there is Mamata Banerjee's govt here? Can Bengal walk on the path to progress?: Home Minister Amit Shah.

 

2:23 PM

It is not our aim to bring BJP govt after removing Mamata Banerjee's govt: Amit Shah

2:23 PM

LIVE: Amit Shah addressing Poribortan Yatra from Kakdwip in West Bengal

2:16 PM

Attack on Bengal minister a conspiracy, was being pressured to join another party, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged the bomb attack on state minister Jakir Hossain was part of a conspiracy as certain people were "pressuring" him to switch over to another party.

 

Banerjee, who went to the SSKM hospital to inquire after his condition following Wednesday's incident, slammed the railways for its "lack lusture" way of functioning.

 

"It was a preplanned attack on minister Jakir Hossain. It is a conspiracy. Some people (party) were pressuring Jakir Hossian to join them for the last few months. I don't want to disclose anything more as investigation is on," Banerjee told reporters.

1:52 PM

West Bengal election campaign: Amit Shah at Gangasagar, South 24 Parganas

He will launch 'Poribortan Yatr'a at Indira Maidan, South 24 Parganas today.