Kolkata, 21 April (H.S.): Election campaigning for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls reached its peak on Tuesday, with all major political parties making a last-minute push to woo voters before campaigning ended at 6 pm as per Election Commission guidelines. Rallies, roadshows and public meetings were held across the state through the day.

Polling for the first phase will be held on April 23, while the second phase is scheduled for April 29. With little time left, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Trinamool Congress and Congress intensified their outreach efforts.

From the BJP camp, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior leaders campaigned in different parts of the state. Addressing a rally in Kulti, Shah targeted the state government and said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was unconcerned about the youth of Bengal. He also said that the next Chief Minister of Bengal would not be an outsider, but someone born in Bengal who speaks Bengali.------

Assam Chief Minister Holds Roadshow

In Bishnupur, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a roadshow in support of BJP candidate Shukla Chatterjee. In Maynaguri of Jalpaiguri district, BJP MP Hema Malini addressed a public meeting in favour of party nominee Dalim Roy.

In Tamluk, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari appealed to voters to give the BJP an opportunity to govern for five years. On the Asansol South seat, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held a roadshow backing BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul.

On the other side, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee also addressed several rallies across the state and launched sharp attacks on the BJP. Other senior Trinamool leaders remained actively engaged in campaigning for party candidates.

The Congress too remained active in the electoral battle. Party leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed meetings in different regions seeking public support.

The final day of campaigning witnessed intense political activity across West Bengal. Attention now shifts to the first phase of polling on April 23, when voters will deliver their verdict on the parties’ electoral strategies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh