The rally attracted a substantial number of party workers and supporters, signalling strong BJP backing in the key constituency.

During the nomination filing event for senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Shah addressed issues he said were impacting the state, including corruption, extortion, youth unemployment, and illegal infiltration. He stated, “Today, all of Bengal is distressed–distressed by extortion, distressed by the hooliganism of Trinamool Congress workers, distressed by the lack of security for women, and distressed by the changing demography of Bengal due to unchecked infiltration. People are distressed by frequent bomb blasts and gunfire, by youth unemployment, and by the record-breaking corruption set by Mamata ji.”

Shah called for change, saying, “The entire population of Bengal is demanding a change in this great state. Under the leadership of PM Modi, a BJP government must be formed here. We must seal the borders of West Bengal and pick out and expel every infiltrator from Bengal and across the country.”

He outlined the party’s vision for a prosperous state, explaining, “We want to build the ‘Sonar Bangla’ envisioned by Vivekananda, Poet-Guru Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Syama Prasad Mukherjee. That is why this change is necessary.” Shah highlighted the BJP’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “Since 2014, every state that placed its trust in Modi-ji has advanced on the path of development. Now it’s Bengal’s turn.”

Appealing to voters for support, he added, “I wish all our candidates–Suvenduda, Swapan Dasgupta, Shatrupa Ghosh, and Santosh Pathak–the very best for the election. People of Bhabanipur, the responsibility for change across Bengal lies with you.”

Earlier, Shah urged West Bengal voters to vote without fear and remove the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from power. He said, “This time no one should fear; no goon can stop the voters of Bengal. Everyone must vote without fear to uproot and throw TMC into the Bay of Bengal.” Directing his appeal to Bhabanipur residents, Shah said, “I have come here to appeal for your votes for our candidate Suvendu Adhikari… We want to make ‘Sonar Bangla’, and this is why we need to defeat TMC.”

Shah emphasised the BJP’s development agenda, declaring, “Since 2014, those who kept believing in Modi ji have seen change. Last time Mamata lost an election, this time she is going to be defeated across Bengal.” He also announced he would remain in the state for 15 days to campaign during the assembly elections.

Suvendu Adhikari is contesting the West Bengal assembly polls on a BJP ticket from Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies. The forthcoming elections will witness a contest between Adhikari and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the Bhabanipur seat, while Adhikari will seek to retain Nandigram.

In the 2021 assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee lost Nandigram to Adhikari but subsequently won the Bhabanipur by-election against Priyanka Tibrewal. The 294-member West Bengal Assembly elections will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.

In the previous 2021 state polls conducted over eight phases, the Trinamool Congress won 213 seats, while the BJP increased its tally to 77 seats. The Congress and Left Front did not secure any seats in that election.