(Image source from: Aitcofficial.org)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the BJP as parts of the state held elections on Thursday, claiming that her attention will shift to Delhi after she wins the assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, finding her statement funny, said she has no future left in Bengal. While speaking at a rally in the Chowringhee area of Kolkata, the chief minister -- who has been in charge for 15 years -- stated that she intends to "break down" the BJP in the central government by uniting the Opposition parties. "Keep this in mind, you cannot overcome us. We stand against unfairness; we fight for what is rightfully ours. I was born in Bengal and will spend my last days here. I will take charge of Delhi once I achieve success in Bengal. My goal is to unite all political groups to do this. I am not after power; I just want to completely dismantle the BJP in Delhi. While it’s certain that they will be defeated in Bengal, the BJP also needs to be removed from Delhi," she mentioned.

Banerjee was supporting her party's candidate and sitting MLA Nayna Bandopadhyay, who is competing against BJP's Santosh Pathak. Criticizing the BJP, she remarked that she has taken note of everyone involved with them. "Do you think you can monitor us? Every single person you have accepted, you only welcomed into the BJP after examining their family history, and you have made appointments based on that same practice," the chief minister indicated during her speech. Senior BJP figure Amit Shah, who is also campaigning in Kolkata, dismissed Banerjee’s comment today and said, "There is nothing remaining here. How does she expect to reach Delhi? ". While Banerjee was campaigning in Chowringhee yesterday, around 3.35 crore people voted in 152 other constituencies in the state. The Chowringhee seat, which has been held by the Trinamool party since 2011, will participate in the second round of voting on April 29, along with additional seats in Kolkata. In the first round of voting yesterday, Bengal recorded a 92.8 percent turnout, showcasing a notable level of participation after a 90-lakh cleanup during the voter roll update earlier this year.