'People will respond to bombs with ballots': Amit Shah in Bengal, warns 'jail' for TMC 'goons'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday escalated his attack on the All India Trinamool Congress, asserting that voters in West Bengal would “reply to bombs and bullets with votes” and bring the Bharatiya Janata Party to power in the Assembly elections.“The goons of TMC will no longer be able to terrorise the people of Bengal with their bomb blasts. The people of Bengal will respond to bombs with ballots and to fear with trust,” Shah said, addressing a rally in Birbhum district. Addressing back-to-back rallies in Mayureshwar and Khayrasole in Birbhum district, Shah said the “writing on the wall” indicated that people had decided to bid “Ta Ta Bye Bye” to chief minister Mamata Banerjee.Sharpening his rhetoric, he said, “Let the people bid adieu to the Mamata government. The BJP will then take up the task of hanging the syndicate and cut-money promoters upside down to make them straight,” alleging entrenched corruption and a “mafia raj” under TMC rule.He also issued a warning ahead of polling, saying, “I advise TMC goons to stay in their homes on April 23… else we will pick them up one by one on May 4 and throw them in jail,” while claiming that BJP workers had faced prolonged violence under the current regime.Shah accused the state government of failing to curb infiltration and pledged strict action, including expelling illegal immigrants and completing border fencing with Bangladesh within 45 days of forming the government. He also reiterated the BJP’s plan to implement a Uniform Civil Code in the state.Targeting the ruling party on governance, Shah alleged large-scale corruption across sectors, including recruitment scams, ration distribution irregularities and misuse of welfare funds, and said those responsible would be made to “return every penny”.He also criticised Banerjee over women’s safety and promised improved law and order, stating that a BJP government would ensure a safer environment for women across the state.Highlighting welfare promises, Shah said a BJP government would implement measures including financial support for women and youth, enhanced benefits for farmers, and wider healthcare coverage, alongside faster delivery of central schemes under a “double-engine” administration. Polling in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.