Amit Shah in West Bengal: The BJP leader arrived in Kolkata after 1 am on Saturday.
Trinamool Congress rebel Suvendu Adhikari and a number of others joined the BJP in presence of Amit Shah at a mega rally in West Bengal's Midnapore today. "The Tsunami I am seeing in Bengal today, I must say that this is something that Mamata Banerjee would not have thought this would happen. By the time the elections come, the entire scene in Bengal would change. Didi watch out!," said Mr Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the state to take stock of his party's affairs ahead of the Assembly elections that are dur in four months.
Besides Mr Adhikari, nearly 50 former Trinamool, Congress and Left front leaders joined BJP in Mr Shah's presence.
Mr Shah, who arrived late on Friday, began his day offering prayers to Swami Vivekananda, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Sarada Devi at the Ramakrishna Ashram in Kolkata around 10.30 in the morning. "This the place where Vivekananda Ji was born. Vivekananda Ji connected modernity and spirituality. I pray that we are able to walk on the path he showed us," Amit Shah said after paying tribute to Swami Vivekanand at Ramakrishna Ashram in Kolkata. He will also address a public rally at Midnapore on Saturday where a number of Trinamool Congress leaders are likely to join the BJP. Mr Shah's trip to Bengal has been preceded by a series of resignations from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.
The Union Home Minister, the party's key strategist for Bengal, has set a target of 200 of the state's 294 seats for the assembly polls.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Amit Shah visit to West Bengal:
"Didi, this is just the beginning. You'll be alone by the time polls come"
- The Tsunami I am seeing in Bengal today, I must say that this is something that Mamata Banerjee would not have thought this would happen. By the time the elections come, the entire scene in Bengal would change. Didi watch out!
- When results of Vidhan Sabha election will be declared BJP will form the government with more than 200 seats
Amit Shah is speaking now. "Didi (Mamata Banerjee) keeps saying that BJP indulges in people switching parties. I want to ask her, was TMC her original party? Was she not in the Congress? Did she not switch to TMC when she had differences? Today when Suvendu Adhikari ji has done the same, you find that wrong," he said.
Trinamool Congress has failed the people of Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari- Those who I worked for loyally for 21 years, for whom I went from booth to booth, never even asked for me when I had Covid. It was Amit Shah ji who has checked on me twice. I thank him for his gesture, and I salute him.
- I say to you today, the Trinamool Congress will not be the largest party in the state anymore. In the upcoming election, it will be the BJP that will emerge as the single largest party in West Bengal.
- Trinamool Congress has failed the people of Bengal. No jobs, the state economy in shambles. Time has come to hand the reins in the hands of Narendra Modi ji... He is the one who can lift Bengal to its glory.
Amit Shah has reached Medinipur College Ground, where he will address a public meeting. Rebel Trinamool leader Suvendu Adhikari is also present on stage with Mr Shah.
Later today, Amit Shah is slated to address a public rally in Medinipur. Meanwhile, preparations are underway at Belijuri village in Paschim Medinipur district, ahead of Mr Shah's visit today.
Earlier, Amit Shah paid homage to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose at his native village in Pashchim Midnapore.
Amit Shah Offers Prayers At Siddheswari Temple
After reaching Medinipur, Mr Shah vitied Siddheswari Temple. He later paid floral tribute to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose.
Amit Shah On Way To Medinipur In Chopper
Amit Shah has now left for Medinipur town, around 150 km from the city. At Medinipur, he will garland the statue of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, offer prayers at two temples, and have lunch at the home of a farmer before arriving at the rally.
Amit Shah pays tribute to Swami Vivekanand at Ramakrishna Ashram in Kolkata
"This the place where Vivekananda Ji was born. Vivekananda Ji connected modernity and spirituality. I pray that we are able to walk on the path he showed us," Amit Shah said after paying tribute to Swami Vivekanand at Ramakrishna Ashram in Kolkata.
Amit Shah's visit comes days after BJP chief JP Nadda's convoy was attacked by alleged Trinamool workers on December 10.
Amit Shah will garland statue of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose at Medinipur
Mr Shah will then take a helicopter ride to Medinipur town, around 150 km from the city. At Medinipur, he will garland the statue of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, offer prayers at two temples, and have lunch at the home of a farmer before arriving at the rally.
Amit Shah in Bengal: Swami Vivekananda's ancestral home will be first stop for Amit Shah
Amit Shah will begin the day with a visit to Swami Vivekananda's ancestral home in Simla Street at 10:15 am. The BJP leader is likely to address press there.
Trinamool rebel Suvendu Adhikari, other rebels likely to join BJP today
Home Minister Amit Shah's trip to Bengal has been preceded by a series of resignations from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.
At least four rebels have quit the Trinamool over the last 24 hours and one of them, Suvendu Adhikari, is likely to join the BJP in the presence of Amit Shah.
Amit Shah In Bengal updates: Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata after 1 am on Saturday
In a tweet upon his arrival in Kolkata, he wrote, "I bow to this revered land of greats like Gurudev Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Syama Prasad Mookerjee."
BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to West Bengal to take stock of his party's affairs in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections that are likely to be held in the next few months.