'Win Bhabanipur, Win Bengal': Amit Shah sets BJP’s 170-seat goal

Kolkata: Calling for "Parivartan" in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Bhabanipur must be the first stepping stone towards the BJP's target of winning 170 seats in the state.

"We will win one seat after another to reach 170 seats and then win Bengal. But there is one shortcut - win Bhabanipur and win the entire Bengal. Bhabanipur's 'Parivartan' will pave the way for change in the state," Shah said while addressing a "Parivartan Sankalp Sabha".

Shah said he had asked Suvendu Adhikari, who wanted to contest from Nandigram, to take on Mamata Banerjee in her home turf Bhabanipur. "Mamataji will be defeated not only in Bhabanipur but across Bengal," he said, expressing confidence that the BJP would usher in "Parivartan".


"Suvendu has a past record of such victories. Banerjee was drafted into Nandigram by Adhikari," he said, adding that he had come with folded hands seeking support for change that would ensure welfare.

Shah also said the time had come to bid "goodbye" to the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, adding that he would camp in the state for two weeks ahead of the polls.

"The people of Bengal are living in fear - fear over women's safety, bombs, unemployment and infiltration. Record corruption has been witnessed. People are intimidated and they want change," Shah said.