Amit Shah 'Anga, Banga, Kalinga Will Have BJP Govts Next Month'

Asserting that people voted with enthusiasm for a change in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said 'Anga, Banga and Kalinga', the ancient kingdoms that ruled present-day eastern India, will have BJP governments next month.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the BJP will bag more than 110 of the 152 seats that went to the polls in the first phase on Thursday.

"People of Bengal broke all



records in the first phase and voted with enthusiasm for a change," he said, referring to the over 92 per cent turnout.

"I thank the Election Commission and security forces for ensuring no deaths during the first phase polls," he said, noting that 1,278 people were injured in the 2016 assembly elections, and 1,681 in 2021. 

Claiming that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC's exit is imminent, Shah said the BJP will form a government in the state with an absolute majority.