Amit Shah Announces 60-Day CAPF Deployment in Bengal After Poll Results

KOLKATA — On Monday, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will remain working across West Bengal for 60 days after the assembly election results are declared, for preventing post-poll violence and reassuring voters about their safety.  

Addressing a large roadshow in Behala, Shah said the security cover would continue even after counting day on May 4, regardless of who forms the next government. His remarks came on April 27, which said that he feels Bengal voters have often faced intimidation during elections and therefore promised that the central forces would stay back to ensure their safety. He also particularly mentioned that law and order would remain a priority once the voting process ends. 

“The Election Commission has already made full arrangements during polling. I want to assure people that even after results are declared, the forces will remain here for another 60 days to protect citizens,” he told the crowd. 

Strict Warning Against Violence and Major Focus on Security

Shah also gave a strict warning to those involved in political violence, during his campaign events in Behala and Chandannagar, and asked them to stay away from any intimidation and clashes as the Centre would follow a zero-tolerance policy towards any election unrest. According to him, the continued presence of central forces is meant to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and prevent revenge attacks after the results.

At present, around 2.4 lakh CAPF personnel have been deployed across Bengal. Night patrols and area domination exercises are being carried out by the security teams in sensitive zones.  A total of 41,001 polling booths have been arranged by the Election Commission for the final phase to maintain transparency and monitor voting activity thoroughly. 

BJP Repeats Key Poll Promises Before Final Phase

Using the last stretch of campaigning, Shah also repeated several of the BJP’s promises for West Bengal. He said that if voted to power, the party would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and provide monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to unemployed youth and women.

He also promised to end the alleged “syndicate culture” in the state, which has been one of the BJP’s main campaign issues.

With campaigning now over and the silence period beginning, attention has shifted to polling day and whether the promise of extended security deployment will have any impact on voter turnout in the final phase.