Amit Shah visits Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata on Friday shortly after arriving in the city for the BJP legislature party meeting.

Shah, who has been appointed the BJP’s central observer for the crucial meeting, landed at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport around 11.10 am.

He was received at the airport by senior BJP leaders, including West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Suvendu Adhikari, Dilip Ghosh, Rahul Sinha and Sukanta Majumdar.

After arriving in Kolkata, Shah directly proceeded to the Dakshineswar Kali Temple along with Samik Bhattacharya and Suvendu Adhikari, where he offered prayers.

Following the temple visit, Shah headed to a hotel in New Town, where he will stay during his two-day visit to the state.

Later in the day, Shah is scheduled to attend the BJP legislature party meeting at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town.

All 207 BJP MLAs elected in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections are expected to participate in the meeting.

The BJP legislature party is set to formally elect its leader during the meeting in the presence of Amit Shah and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who has been appointed as the party’s central co-observer.

The elected leader will become West Bengal’s first BJP chief minister following the party’s historic electoral victory.

The BJP secured a massive mandate in the Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state and delivering a major political setback to Mamata Banerjee.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Nitin Nabin and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony scheduled to be held at Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday.