Kolkata, 02 April (H.S.) : Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata late on Wednesday night to participate in the nomination programme of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari for the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.

He was received at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Dumdum by Adhikari, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Union minister and former state president Sukanta Majumdar, along with other senior party leaders.

According to BJP sources, Shah will attend Adhikari’s nomination filing on Thursday. Adhikari is set to contest from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party has made extensive preparations for the event.

Before the nomination filing, a large rally is scheduled to be taken out from Hazra More to the Survey Building. A large number of BJP workers and supporters are expected to participate. Shah is also expected to join the rally before attending the nomination process.

BJP leaders described the nomination as not merely a procedural formality but a significant step towards political change in the state. The party is also planning a major show of strength through the programme.

Security has been tightened along the rally route and near the nomination venue, with additional police deployment. Traffic arrangements have also been modified to prevent disruption, and entry restrictions have been imposed in parts of the area.

The Bhabanipur constituency is considered one of the most significant seats in the state, and a keen contest is expected. The constituency has a sizeable population of Gujarati and Hindi-speaking voters, while about 17 per cent of the electorate is from the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has expressed confidence of retaining the seat once again. Suvendu Adhikari is also contesting from Nandigram, which he currently represents as an MLA.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh