Kolkata, 24 April (H.S.) : Claiming that the record voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections reflects a strong desire for political change, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to win more than 110 of the 152 seats that went to polls.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the people of Bengal had voted decisively for change and expressed confidence that the BJP would secure a commanding lead in the first phase itself.

He described the high turnout as a clear endorsement of the BJP and thanked voters for participating in large numbers. According to him, the unprecedented polling percentage shows that the electorate wants a new government in the state.

On allegations of poll violence, Shah said the first phase of this election was significantly more peaceful than previous elections in the state. He cited comparative figures of injuries reported during earlier polls and claimed that less than 30 people were injured in the first phase this time, with no fatalities reported.

Launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shah said attempts were being made to mislead voters by claiming that outsiders would rule Bengal if the BJP formed the government. He asserted that the next Chief Minister would be a son of Bengal, educated in the Bengali medium and fluent in the Bengali language.

In an apparent reference to the Trinamool Congress leadership, Shah said the next Chief Minister would be a BJP worker and not a member of any political family.

Polling in the first phase was held across 152 Assembly constituencies, with the Election Commission recording a turnout of 92.88 percent, one of the highest in the state’s electoral history.

With both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress claiming public support after the first phase, political attention has now shifted to the second phase of polling on April 29 for the remaining 142 seats. Results will be declared on May 4.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh