Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while campaigning in West Bengal’s Bardhaman district, declared that the BJP will “100 per cent” form the government in the state in the upcoming Assembly elections. His remarks come as West Bengal prepares for a streamlined two-phase election across all 294 constituencies – a departure from the multi-phase polling seen in recent years. Voting will take place on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. The first phase will cover 152 constituencies across 16 districts, while the second will include 142 constituencies in seven districts.
Sarma also reacted to the rejection of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which sought to provide women’s reservation. He said women were “very sad” and would “take revenge” on Mamata Banerjee, the DMK, and the Congress. The bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority, with 298 MPs voting in favour and 230 against. Following this setback, two related bills – one on delimitation and another on increasing Lok Sabha seats – were not put to vote. The Centre had strongly advocated for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies, but the defeat has added sharp political undertones to the ongoing campaign in Bengal.