Agartala, April 24: Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Friday asserted that people in West Bengal are increasingly supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in pursuit of “genuine development and progress,” claiming that a political shift in the state is imminent.

Speaking while the first phase of polling was underway, Nath said employees and women voters would play a decisive role in favour of the BJP. “People are now voting to save Bengal, and they believe only the BJP can ensure real development,” he stated.

The minister, who has been assigned responsibility for the Shyampukur and Jorasanko constituencies in Kolkata, said the election process is being conducted in a free and fair manner under the supervision of the Election Commission of India. He expressed confidence in BJP candidate Purnima Chakraborty in Shyampukur, citing her popularity and grassroots connect.

Criticising both the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Nath alleged that years of “misrule” had pushed West Bengal behind in multiple sectors. “There was a time when Bengal led the country in many fields. Today, due to prolonged misgovernance, the state has lost that position,” he remarked.

Highlighting the BJP’s growth in the state, Nath claimed the party is set to significantly improve its electoral performance in Kolkata and across West Bengal. He also pointed to migration trends, alleging that many people are now leaving the state in search of better employment opportunities in cities like Pune and Hyderabad.

Emphasising the broader national vision, Nath said the goal of a “Vikshit Bharat” (Developed India) cannot be achieved without West Bengal’s progress. “This is not about force; it is about people’s realization. The people understands that only the BJP can bring meaningful change,” he added.

The minister reiterated that the ongoing election reflects a growing public desire for change, with employees and women voters expected to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome.