Amit Shah ridicules Mamata’s ‘Delhi next’ remark amid Bengal battle

Mamata’s ‘Delhi next’ remark sparks reaction from Amit Shah amid high-stakes Bengal election campaign

April 24, 2026

Mamata vs Shah: ‘Delhi next’ remark sparks political clash

Mamata Banerjee says she will ‘take over Delhi’; Amit Shah dismisses claim

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday sharpened her attack on the BJP, declaring that her focus would shift to Delhi after securing victory in the ongoing Assembly elections.

Speaking at a rally in Kolkata’s Chowringhee, Banerjee said she aims to unite Opposition parties to challenge the BJP at the Centre.

“Remember this, you cannot defeat us. We fight against injustice; we fight for our rights. I was born in Bengal, and I shall breathe my last in this very Bengal. I will take over Delhi once I have secured victory in Bengal. I will do so by rallying all the political parties together. I won’t want the seat (of power); I want the complete dismantling of the BJP in Delhi. While their destruction in Bengal is inevitable, the BJP must be ousted from Delhi as well,” she said.

Amit Shah hits back

Responding to the remarks, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed the claim, saying Banerjee’s party has little ground left in the state.

“There is nothing left here. How will she come to Delhi?” Shah said while campaigning in Kolkata.

Campaign intensifies in key constituencies

Banerjee was campaigning for Trinamool Congress candidate Nayna Bandopadhyay, a two-time MLA, who is contesting against BJP’s Santosh Pathak in the Chowringhee seat.

Targeting the BJP, the chief minister also alleged that the party closely monitors individuals joining its ranks.

“You think you can keep tabs on us? Every single person you have inducted, you brought them into the BJP fold only after scrutinising their family backgrounds, and you have appointed officers based on that very same criterion,” she said.

High voter turnout in first phase

While Banerjee campaigned in Kolkata, voting was held in other parts of the state, with around 3.35 crore voters casting ballots across 152 seats.

The Chowringhee constituency, held by the Trinamool Congress since 2011, will vote in the second phase on April 29.

According to the Election Commission of India, the first phase recorded a turnout of 92.8%, reflecting strong voter participation.

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