Amit Shah Rejects ‘Paid Crowd’ Allegations, Confident of BJP Victory in Bengal Polls

Behala, April 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday strongly refuted allegations made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was bringing in “paid supporters” from other states to boost attendance at its election rallies.

Dismissing the charge as baseless, Shah questioned the practicality of such claims, asking how it would be possible to mobilise such large crowds from outside the state. He suggested that the scale of participation at BJP rallies reflected genuine public support rather than any artificial mobilisation. In a lighter vein, he also remarked that such allegations should not be taken seriously.

The remarks come in response to Banerjee’s statement earlier this month, where she accused the BJP of attempting to influence the ongoing Assembly elections by transporting supporters from other regions and paying them to attend campaign events.

Speaking on the sidelines of campaign activities, Shah reiterated his confidence in the BJP’s electoral prospects in West Bengal. He asserted that the party is poised to secure a decisive mandate in the state, expressing optimism about a strong performance in the ongoing polls.

Addressing concerns over reports of political violence, Shah downplayed the situation, stating that the election process is largely peaceful. He pointed out that compared to previous elections in the state, which were often marked by significant violence, the current polling environment has been relatively calm.

However, tensions were reported from Jagatdal in North 24 Parganas district, where a violent clash broke out between workers of the BJP and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday night. The incident reportedly involved stone-pelting, firing, and the use of crude bombs, leaving several individuals injured.

According to officials, at least three people sustained injuries in the clash, while a jawan of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) suffered a bullet injury to his leg. The situation created panic in the area and prompted intervention by security forces to restore order.

Preliminary reports indicate that the clash occurred near a police station after BJP workers alleged that posters and flags put up for a rally addressed by Narendra Modi at Jalebi Math Maidan had been removed, triggering tensions between the rival groups.

Meanwhile, campaigning for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 has intensified, with major political parties stepping up their outreach efforts through rallies, roadshows, and public meetings across the state.

The first phase of polling, held on April 23, recorded a voter turnout of 92.03 per cent, reflecting strong public participation despite isolated incidents of unrest. The turnout marked the highest-ever polling percentage in West Bengal since 1951, indicating heightened political engagement among voters.

As the election progresses, the political atmosphere in the state remains charged, with both the BJP and TMC trading sharp accusations while seeking to consolidate voter support. Shah’s remarks underscore the BJP’s strategy of projecting confidence and countering criticism, even as the contest in West Bengal continues to intensify.