Central forces to stay in Bengal for 60 more days after polls: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that central forces would remain deployed in West Bengal for at least 60 more days after the assembly elections. Shah was addressing a gathering after leading a road show in Behala, where voting will take place in the second and final phase on April 29. The first phase of elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly was held on April 23. Votes will be counted on May 4. “Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry about the goons. The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power, central forces will remain here for 60 days," he said. Shah said it was essential to bring the BJP to power in West Bengal to transform the state into a “sonar Bangla (golden Bengal)”

दीदी के गुंडों की चिंता मत कीजिए, चुनाव आयोग ने चप्पे-चप्पे पर CAPF तैनात की है।
आज मैं बोलकर जाता हूँ—चुनाव के बाद भाजपा सरकार आने वाली है। फिर भी 60 दिनों तक CAPF यहीं रहने वाली है।

দিদির গুন্ডাদের নিয়ে চিন্তা করবেন না, নির্বাচন কমিশন প্রতিটি এলাকায় CAPF মোতায়েন করেছে।
আজ… pic.twitter.com/lQpFsVGzQa

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 27, 2026

The road show was held on the final day of campaigning in support of BJP candidates for Behala Purba and Behala Paschim, turning the south Kolkata neighbourhood into a sea of saffron. Standing atop an open-hood vehicle, Shah waved at supporters and showered flower petals on crowds lining both sides of the road.