Mamata vs Amit Shah in Bengal LIVE Updates: First Defeat Abhishek, Then Come For Me, WB CM Throws Open Challenge to BJP

Outsiders Will Have to Return After Polls: Abhishek Banerjee | All India Trinamool Youth Congress president Abhishek Banerjee said that "outsiders" will have to return after the state assembly poll. Banerjee was speaking at a TMC rally at Pailan in South 24 Parganas district where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was on a visit during the day to flag off the fifth and last rathayatra of BJP before the state election due in April-May. "Those coming here are not aware of the unique culture of Bengal but are making promises of making the state Sonar Bangla (prosperous Bengal). Our leader Mamata Banerjee will score a hattrick this time and outsiders will have to return yet again. It is a matter of time," Banerjee said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calls on Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhawan.

West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhawan, today pic.twitter.com/jDaRmFPtSL

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

Flaying TMCs appeasement politics, Shah said it is under BJPs pressure that Banerjee is now seen worshipping Goddess Saraswati. "Should the Durga Puja not take place in West Bengal? Court permission needs to be obtained for it. Should the Saraswati Puja not be held here? She had stopped it.It was only after BJP's pressure that she was seen worshipping Goddess Saraswati. Didi, Bengal knows that you had stopped Saraswati puja in schools," Shah said.

Speaking on the controversy over 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan, Shah said, Bengal CM gets angry at the slogan due to her appeasement politics. "You get angry over it because you want to appease a particular section of the people for vote bank politics. Jai Shri Ram slogan is a symbol against anti-appeasement policies," he said. Banerjee had on January 23 declined to speak at an event to celebrate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary where "Jai Shri Ram" slogans were raised in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shah said BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra' is not for changing a chief minister, an MLA or a minister but ending infiltration and transforming West Bengal into a developed state. "This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal). This fight is between our booth workers and the syndicate of TMC. It is not just our aim to bring BJP government after removing Mamata Banerjee's ministry. "Our goal is to ensure that there is a change in the situation in West Bengal, a change in the condition of the poor of the state, a change in circumstances for women of the state," he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said if voted to power BJP would constitute an inquiry into the siphoning off cyclone Amphan relief funds and book the culprits. "If we are voted to power, the government will constitute an inquiry committee to probe corruption in disbursal of Amphan relief funds. All those who have indulged in corruption would be sent to jails," he said. Super cyclonic storm Amphan had caused widespread damage in West Bengal,Odisha and neighbouring Bangladesh in May 2020.

"How come your son became a part of the cricket administration and made hundreds of crores of rupees?" Banerjee says, in a direct attack at Shah. She also challenges the home minister to get her into politics and toil to hold public offices.

"Day and night they are talking about Didi-Bhatija. I challenge Amit Shah, contest against Abhishek Banerjee first and then me," Mamata Banerjee says, amid a loud cheer from supporters. BJP leaders, including Shah, have often accused Banerjee of dynasty politics, alleging that her 'Bhaipo' or nephew has received preferential treatment and will eventually be made the chief minister of the state.

First Fight Abhishek, Then Me: Mamata | Hitting out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's 'Didi-Bhaipo' jibes, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenges him to contest an election against her nephew Abhishek Banerjee and then think of fighting her. Addressing a party rally in Pailan in the South 24 Parganas district, Banerjee says that Abhishek could have taken the easy route of being an MP by choosing to be a Rajya Sabha member but he fought the Lok Sabha election and got the people's mandate.

Will Make Gangasagar Tourism Hub: Shah | Amit Shah also said that Gangasagar will be developed as a tourism and cultural hub. "The fair held at Gangasagar on the occasion of Uttarayan on January 14 will be given the status of international fair to bring tourists from across the globe," said the union home minister.

Upliftment of Fishermen Community: Shah | Shah also emphasised on the upliftment of the fishermen community in the state, "For welfare of fishermen, after coming to power, we will give Rs 6, 000 as 'Fishermen Samaan Nidhi' like 'Kisan Samman Nidhi' to four lakh fishermen in the state," he said. The BJP leader further added, "To ensure the right price for their produce, the BJP government will create a ministry at the level of state minister. A seafood hub will be developed in the area of 24 Parganas."

Amit Shah interacts with the family members of fish vendor Subrata Biswas.

Proper Remuneration to Teachers: Shah | The Union home minister also highlighted the plight of teachers in the state and said that the party will fighting for their rights and proper remuneration. "After coming to power, the BJP government in West Bengal will form a committee to give right remuneration to teachers in the state," he said.

Will Implement 7th Pay Commission: Shah | Amit Shah also said in case the BJP comes to power, it will works towards implementing the Seventh Pay Commission. Shah said the economy of the state is in such a precarious position that the Seventh Pay Commission is not given to employees of the state government. 

Will Give 33% Reservation for Women in Govt Jobs: Shah | Shah made the announcement while addressing a huge crowd of supporters in Namkhana village of the South 24 Parganas district and kicking off the fifth and final phase of "Poribortan Yatraa in Bengal. "If we come to power we will provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the government jobs," the Home Minister said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds roadshow in Namkhana, South 24 Paraganas in West Bengal.

Trinamool Congress workers in Siliguri hold motorcycle rally to protest against rise in fuel prices.

Siliguri: Trinamool Congress workers hold motorcycle rally to protest against rise in fuel prices#WestBengal pic.twitter.com/BJ9FHfN29t

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

"There is no law and order in West Bengal. No person is safe in this state. NIA should conduct an investigation into the incident," says Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on bomb attack on Hossain.

There is no law and order in West Bengal. No person is safe in this state. NIA should conduct an investigation into the incident: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on bomb attack on West Bengal Minister Jakir Hossain pic.twitter.com/fswZMSdSM1

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah and other party leaders including Mukul Roy, Kailash Vijayvargiya and Dilip Ghosh have lunch at the residence of a migrant family from Bangladesh, in Narayanpur village, South 24 Paraganas.

West Bengal: Union Home Minister & BJP leader Amit Shah & other party leaders including Mukul Roy, Kailash Vijayvargiya & Dilip Ghosh having lunch at the residence of a migrant family from Bangladesh, in Narayanpur village, South 24 Paraganas pic.twitter.com/KcJDhuGatf

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

Investigation is on. It's big conspiracy. We hope truth comes out. His condition is very critical. His pulse rate dropped to 50. We'll give Rs 5 Lakhs each to those seriously injured and Rs 1 Lakh each to those with minor injuries. Case handed over to CID, STF and CIF: West Bengal CM on attack on state minister Jakir Hossain.

Investigation is on. It's big conspiracy. We hope truth comes out. His condition is very critical. His pulse rate dropped to 50. We'll give Rs 5 Lakhs each to those seriously injured & Rs 1 Lakh each to those with minor injuries. Case handed over to CID, STF & CIF: West Bengal CM pic.twitter.com/qRh5fHujkl

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused Mamata Banerjee led government in West Bengal for not implementing ‘Namami Gange Programme’ in the State and promised to bring Sagar Island in South 24…

Amit Shah also said both Syama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and Swami Pranavananda had shared similar ideologies and worked for the country. Claiming that West Bengal is existing today because of Mukherjee, he said, "Otherwise, it would have gone to Bangladesh." During his 40-minute visit to the organisation's office in Kolkata, Shah was briefed about the relief works carried out by it during natural disasters. He was accompanied by BJP's national vice president Mukul Roy, national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and other senior leaders.

"This is not a change in power, this is about bringing respect to Gangasagar, about bringing a change in the fishermen of the region. Can law and order situation be fine in West Bengal as long as there is Mamata Banerjee's govt here? Can Bengal walk on the path to progress?" Home Minister Amit Shah said. 

Goal to Change Situation of Poor in Bengal: Amit Shah | "This is BJP's fight to make Bengal 'Sonar Bangla'. This fight is between our booth workers and the syndicate of TMC. It is not our aim to bring BJP govt after removing Mamata Banerjee's govt. Our goal is to ensure that there is a change in the situation in West Bengal, a change in the situation of the poor of the state, a change in situation of women of the state," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at the launch of fifth Poribortan Yatra in Kakdwip of South 24 Parganas district.

Paying obeisance to Bharat Sevashram Sangha founder Swami Pranavananda on his 125th birth anniversary, Amit Shah told the monks that the organisation was formed at a time when it was most needed. "The organisation made great efforts to make people aware of freedom. Swami Pranavananda thought of a free India," the home minister said.

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the path trodden by the Bharat Sevashram Sangha will significantly help India to transform into a self-reliant country. Shah, who visited the headquarters of the charitable organisation, said the BSS will hopefully continue to move forward on the path it has travelled so far and pave the way for a new 'Hindustan'.

Ahead of Amit Shah's visit to Kapil Muni temple, where he will also take a holy dip in Gangasagar, temples have been sanitised. All priests underwent mandatory Covid test yesterday. The portion of the sea beach where Amit Shah will take a dip is being specially prepped up. The picture shows Union Home Minister Amit Shah visits Gangasagar's Kapil Muni Ashram to offer prayers.

West Bengal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visits Gangasagar's Kapil Muni Ashram to offer prayers pic.twitter.com/0eVlSXzaup

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Gangasagar, South 24 Parganas during his two day visit to West Bengal. Amit Shah will also launch Poribortan Yatra at Indira Maidan, South 24 Parganas today.

Mamata, Nephew to Address Party Workers Today | Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the local party MP, is slated to address a party workers meeting at Pailan in South 24 Parganas on Thursday. "It will be a politically important day tomorrow. Both Shah and Didi will address rallies in the same district," a senior South 24 Parganas TMC leader said.

West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim said, "Around 26 of our people, including Jakir Hossain, were injured; 14 of them serious. Police investigation is on in the case, CM said that CID, STF and CIF have joined in. I hope Railway will help them. On behalf of the party, we want that culprits be arrested and brought to court." He added that the bomb attack is a conspiracy, but it is the job of Police and investigation agency to probe and find out who was behind this.