Bengaluru: After assuming office of the Union home ministry, Amit Shah paid a visit to West Bengal for the first time to inaugurate Durga puja festivities at Salt Lake area. 
He also addressed a huge gathering on the issue of National Register of Citizens (NRC). 

Fully aware of the alleged mishandling of Durga idol immersion issue by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the Union home minister thundered that if given a chance for the BJP to rule, “none will have guts to put restrictions on Ram Navami and Vasant Panchami.”

The BJP is facing flak from the opposition for its NRC plan as there are allegations that the names of many had been missed out in Assam. Amit Shah used the occasion to kill such fears.  

He said, “I today want to assure Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Christian refugees, you will not be forced to leave India by the Centre. Don't believe rumours. Before NRC, we will bring Citizenship Amendment Bill, which will ensure these people get Indian citizenship.” 

Amit Shah also urged the voters to give a chance for the BJP so that it will turn Bengal into Sonar Bangla. 

“You have given a chance to communists, you tried Trinamool Congress, now give BJP a chance and let us turn Bengal into Sonar Bangla,” he said. 

Last month, Mamata Banerjee met both PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Though the meeting was arranged on the issues relating to NRC, there were talks that she was meeting the two in relation to the Saradha scam which has been handed over to the CBI. A former Kolkata commissioner of police Rajeev’s name also figures prominently in the case. 

Durga puja of Durga festival is one of the grandest festivals in West Bengal. Pandals are set up all over the state as people gather in thousands and lose themselves in the festive fervour.