West Bengal elections: Suvendu Adhikari’s big prediction during first phase voting

As West Bengal heads to the polling booth for the first phase of voting, Opposition leader and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has made a prediction about the BJP’s chances.  

Adhikari, who cast his vote at Nandigram, told reporters on Thursday afternoon that the  BJP will win at least 125 seats out of the 152 seats in the first phase. According to him, the ruling Trinamool Congress will be 'cleansed' everywhere from North Bengal to  Jangalmahal.

Expressing confidence about the BJP’s chances beyond his own district of Purba Medinipur, Adhikari said: "Don't confine me to Purba Medinipur alone. There is no room for the BJP to fall below 125 out of 152 seats," he said, adding that there is a widespread public support for the BJP in North Bengal and Jangalmaha.

However, the TMC has rubbished his claims, stating that the BJP leader was presenting “imaginary statistics” to be in the limelight of the campaign.  

The BJP leader also triggered a controversy with a scathing communal and political attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress party in Nandigram. He claimed that the  common people of the state, especially Hindu and tribal women, are desperate to oust the Trinamool from power.

“A married Hindu woman broke down in tears in front of me on the way to the booth. She told me to protect Hindus. She fears that if Mamata Banerjee returns to power, Hindus will face a situation like Murshidabad, they will be wiped out," he said.

His comments stoked a controversy with the ruling Trinamool party, which has termed this allegation as 'baseless and provocative'.

Shuvendu Adhikari who voted at the Brajmohan Tiwari High School in Nandigram Vidhan Sabha constituency also expressed his dissatisfaction with the role of BLO. Shuvendu  claimed that voters were being influenced.  "I know him. He is influencing voters.