‘40% strong base’: Amit Shah highlights Bengal’s rising support for BJP over the years

Ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday outlined the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) electoral rise in the state, citing vote share and seat gains over the past decade. He also launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata alongside Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, Shah said the people of West Bengal have steadily increased their support for the BJP in successive elections.

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BJP’s Vote Share Surge in Bengal

Shah presented figures to underline the party’s growth trajectory in the state:

• In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP secured a 17% vote share and won 2 seats. In 2019, the vote share rose to 41%, with the party winning 18 seats.
• In the 2016 Assembly elections, BJP had a 10% vote share and won 3 seats. In 2021, the party’s vote share climbed to 38%, translating into 77 seats.

He said these numbers reflect a “strong base of around 40%” support for the BJP in West Bengal.

Kolkata, West Bengal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “This has been the experience. Today, I would also like to say that the people of Bengal have consistently supported the Bharatiya Janata Party, and I would like to present some figures to show how the BJP has gradually… pic.twitter.com/WyvoJF6EM4

— IANS (@ians_india) March 28, 2026

Sharp Attack on Mamata Banerjee

Targeting Mamata Banerjee, Shah accused the Chief Minister of attempting to gain public sympathy ahead of elections.

He alleged that she often portrays herself as a victim during poll season, claiming illness or injury to influence voters. Shah added that such tactics would not succeed in the upcoming elections.

BJP’s Poll Push in Bengal

The Home Minister said BJP workers have begun campaigning across the state to form the next government.

“Under the leadership of our state president, party workers have stepped into Bengal with the resolve to form a BJP government,” he said.

West Bengal will go to the polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes for both phases is scheduled for May 4.

The upcoming election is expected to witness a high-voltage contest between the BJP and the ruling TMC, with both parties intensifying their campaigns across the state.