BJP candidate and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari remained at the centre of political attention throughout the second phase of polling in Bhawanipur on Wednesday, spending the day visiting booths, interacting with voters and party workers, and ending with a confident prediction of victory over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
In a high-stakes contest reminiscent of the 2021 Nandigram battle, Adhikari and Banerjee are once again locked in a direct electoral contest, this time in Bhawanipur. Adhikari asserted that he would win the constituency by at least 20,000 votes and went on to claim that Banerjee would “lose even at her own booth by 200 votes.”
Adhikari began the day by offering prayers at the Hanuman temple in Kidderpore before embarking on an extensive tour of polling stations across Bhawanipur. He visited several wards and booths, spoke with voters, booth agents and local party workers, and reviewed the polling situation on the ground.
Earlier in the day, he had said that if voter turnout touched 80 per cent, he would secure victory, while a 90 per cent turnout would result in a decisive mandate in favour of the BJP.
Tension flared during polling hours outside booths 217 and 218 in Ward 73 of Bhawanipur when Adhikari arrived in the area. According to allegations, Trinamool Congress supporters surrounded him and raised slogans of “Joy Bangla.” BJP workers responded with counter-slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and chants targeting the ruling party leadership. Central forces and women police personnel were deployed to control the situation, while an additional contingent of paramilitary forces later reached the spot. Police also resorted to baton-charge to disperse crowds.
Another round of slogan-shouting reportedly took place near Joy Hind Bhavan under the leadership of local civic representative Kajari Bandyopadhyay. Similar scenes were witnessed later in Ekbalpur, where Adhikari again faced slogan protests and responded sharply.
During the course of the day, the BJP leader alleged that the principal disturbances in Bhawanipur were concentrated in Wards 77 and 82. He claimed that central forces had tightened security in those areas. He also alleged that polling was progressing at a slow pace and said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him over the phone regarding the developments.
In the evening, Adhikari addressed a press conference from the Bhawanipur election office. He claimed that, according to inputs from the control room, voter turnout in the constituency had crossed 90 per cent, describing it as a record figure. Referring to the 82 per cent turnout recorded in 2021, he said the additional votes this time reflected a desire for political change.
He further alleged that in previous elections votes had been cast in the names of deceased electors. According to him, attempts were made this time as well in Ward 77, but such efforts were curbed after his intervention. He also alleged that some men had arrived in burqas to cast votes.
Making his strongest political statement of the day, Adhikari declared that Banerjee would lose by over 200 votes even at her own booth. He reiterated that he was certain of winning Bhawanipur by at least 20,000 votes, while claiming that the Trinamool Congress might secure only a narrow lead in Ward 77 and that the BJP would lead elsewhere.
Adhikari also thanked the people of Bhawanipur, particularly women voters, for what he described as their affection and support. He expressed gratitude to the Election Commission, central forces, presiding officers, sections of Kolkata Police, and the media.
With polling now over, all eyes remain on the results of what has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests of the election season.