'Don’t Step Out In Phase 2 Or Face Consequences': Who Did Amit Shah Warn?

New Delhi: 23 April 2026 — Day of the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections. There were long queues outside the booths since morning, crowds of women, enthusiasm of the elderly; the scene was as if people had come out to celebrate a festival. But Bengal politics is never simple; there was as much enthusiasm on the booths as there was on the streets. There was 85 percent voting in the 2021 assembly elections and 83.2 percent voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

District wise, Dakshin Dinajpur led with 94.58 percent voting, followed by Cooch Behar with 94.12 percent and Birbhum with 93.37 percent. That is, this time the people of Bengal pressed the EVM button with full force - just not sure in whose favor.

What did Amit Shah say, and what did he target at TMC?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a rally in Balagarh, Hooghly, said, "Till a few days ago, Mamata Banerjee's goons used to say that campaign as much as you want, they will not let you cast your vote." He described this record turnout as a victory for the people.

Shah also announced that if BJP came to power, not a single infiltrator would be allowed to stay in Bengal and those already present would be "selectively removed." He kept monitoring the elections from the BJP war room in Kolkata throughout the day.

What happened in Murshidabad?

• During voting, a crude bomb was thrown in Nauda area — the blast was so powerful that voters ran here and there. Many people were injured by shrapnel and central forces immediately reached the spot. 
• TMC and CPI(M) workers clashed with sharp weapons in Sardarpara area of ​​Domkal — at least three people were seriously injured, and the condition of a CPI(M) worker was said to be critical. 
• BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar attacked by mob near a booth in Kumarganj — viral video shows him running in the fields. His car was also damaged. 
• The Election Commission sought a report from the DM of Murshidabad and deployed additional forces.

How are both parties getting different victories from the same data?

This is the wonder of Bengal politics. BJP president Nitin Nabin claimed that the party will form the government with an "absolute majority" and bring an end to Mamata Banerjee's 15-year rule. Suvendu Adhikari said that BJP will win 125 seats in the first phase itself and 85 percent Hindu votes are with the BJP. On the other hand, TMC says that this crowd has come in their favor and Mamata's development work is getting public support. Both sides have their own claims—but the decision will be taken when the EVMs open on May 4.

When will the second phase happen and who will have the upper hand?

The second phase of voting on the remaining 142 seats will be held on April 29 and counting of votes on May 4. 
The first phase has made it clear that this election is neither easy nor one-sided. Record voting, bomb blasts, leaders being chased away, and political rhetoric: Bengal has once again shown its true colors.

Now the eyes are on 29th April and even more so on the morning of 4th May, when the real decision of the people of Bengal will be revealed.