Amit Shah storms Mamata Banerjee’s bastion, thousands attend Kolkata rally

Amit Shah on Tuesday took the electoral battle against TMC to Mamata Banerjee’s bastion and held a massive roadshow in Kolkata ahead of final phase of voting on May 19.

Thousands of well-wishers and supporters of the BJP came out on the streets to greet party president Shah, who repeatedly punched the air and showed the victory sign. “We have to revive democracy in West Bengal. Only this state has seen poll-related violence. People here are extremely angry with Mamata Banerjee and the support for us is for all to see here,” he said. The roadshow began from Dharmatala after Kolkata Police had denied permission to the original starting point in Sahid Minar Maidaan, stating that BJP had tried to set up a stage here. The change in the starting point hardly dissuaded BJP workers and supporters from coming out in large numbers in what was a massive show of strength and intent.

There were also reports of TMC workers allegedly throwing sticks at BJP supporters even as the roadshow progressed on its pre-planned route.

Flower petals rained on Shah through the entire course of the roadshow which proceeded to Esplanade, Lenin Sarani, Wellington Square, Boubazar, College Square, Amharst Street, Kali Badi and Swami Vivekananda’s house on Simla Street. Shah, however, said he was unable to enter the house because of the ruckus created by TMC workers.

Kolkata appeared to have replaced the hues of blue and white — colours of TMC — with saffron through the entire course of Shah’s roadshow. There were tableaus from 20 states accompanying Shah with cultural events organised at various points. Interestingly, one of the tableaus also had people dressed as Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita. Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ has been a major point of BJP’s attack against TMC. Mamata had reportedly been angered when a group of people had chanted  ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while she was en route an election rally earlier. This had prompted PM Modi to ask if chanting Lord Ram’s praise was a crime. Shah too dared Mamata to have him arrested for chanting  ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

Tensions have been high and Kolkata, earlier on Tuesday, had witnessed scenes of chaos when BJP alleged TMC workers had torn posters they had put up along the route of Shah’s roadshow. “Mamata ji’s goons and police removed all the posters and flags. They escaped soon after we reached here,” Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP national secretary, said.