Union Home Minister Amit Shah at an election rally in West Bengal. Photo: @AmitShah/X via PTI Photo
Amit Shah says central forces will remain in Bengal for a week after polling ends
The Union home minister urged voters to cast ballots without fear during a roadshow in Kerala, as 142 seats prepare for the second phase of the elections
Central forces deployed in West Bengal for the ongoing Assembly elections will remain in the state for at least a week after the second phase gets over on Wednesday (April 29), Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday (April 27), the last day of campaigning for the phase.
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According to him, the forces would stay back even if his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in Bengal and urged voters to cast their ballots without fearing anybody.
142 seats to vote in Phase 2
One hundred and forty-two seats will go to the polls in the second phase, following 152 that voted in the first phase on April 23.
Shah, who has remained in the state for a fortnight during the elections in Bengal, said this during a road show in Behala, Kolkata. The state capital will vote in the second phase. Results will be declared on May 4.
“Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry about the goons. The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power, central forces will remain here for seven days,” he said.
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Standing atop an open-hood vehicle, Shah waved at supporters and showered flower petals on crowds lining both sides of the road.
Thousands of BJP workers and supporters, carrying party flags and orange-green balloons, thronged the route, raising slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
Central personnel injured in shooting
On Sunday (April 26), a Central Industrial Security Force jawan was injured in a firing incident outside the house of Pawan Singh, the BJP candidate in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas, which will also vote on Wednesday. He was part of Singh's security team.
The Election Commission sought a detailed report on the matter.
(With agency inputs)