Kolkata, 19 March (H.S.): Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of “atrocities” as campaigning gathers pace ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal.

The Leader of the Opposition made the remarks after arriving in Bhabanipur to kickstart his campaign. He claimed that local residents, including hawkers, taxi drivers and small shopkeepers, were “fed up” with the state government and had sought his help.

“I have given them my mobile number. I have come here to save them,” Adhikari told reporters.

The BJP leader alleged that workers of the Trinamool Congress had gathered in the area before his arrival to obstruct him and show black flags. However, he claimed that they left before he reached the spot, calling it a “good signal”.

Adhikari said that a wave of change had begun in the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would soon turn into a “tsunami”. He also predicted that Banerjee would lose the Bhabanipur seat by a margin of 25,000 to 30,000 votes.

Polling 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. Bhabanipur is among the most keenly watched constituencies, where Banerjee and Adhikari are set for a direct contest.

Adhikari said he was fielded from the seat following the wishes of party workers and a decision by the prime minister. He is also contesting from Nandigram, where he has previously been elected as an MLA — first from the Trinamool Congress (2016–2021) and later from the BJP (since 2021).

The Bhabanipur constituency came into existence after the 2011 delimitation exercise, merging parts of the erstwhile Alipore and Chowrangee Assembly segments, making its demographic composition a key factor in the contest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey