Saffron surge in Kolkata as Amit Shah holds massive BJP roadshow

Dance, music and mythological costume extravaganza jazzed up the roadshow even though several of BJP posters and banners were removed or dismantled ahead of the road campaign.

BJP is aiming to increase its seats in Bengal which is ruled by Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.

Dhaks, Dhols and people dressing themselves as mythical Hindu deities participated in the roadshow which covered over 3 kilometre distance.

People were seen dancing on 'Jai Shree Ram' song as the roadshow moved from one corner of the city to another.

BJP's observer Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged that the TMC government attempted to skirt the road show by removing and demolishing hoardings and posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah along the roads which leads to the ancestral home of Swami Vivekananda in north Kolkata.

He alleged that the goons of the TMC and policemen forcefully removed the posters saying they were abiding the Election Commission's order.

He said the BJP had permission from the Election Commission to hold road show of Amit Shah.

Vijayvargiya also had a verbal duel with a police official over erection of a stage at Subodh Mallick Square.

However, the posters were again put back by the BJP activists, who also broke the windscreen of a van at Dharmatala.

Rahul Sinha tweeted: " Check this out how @MamataOfficial & @AITCofficial persons removed our flags and hoarding which were put on for the #MegaRoadShow of @AmitShah ji in Kolkata North."

Amit Shah challenges Mamata:

Amit Shah has challenged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest him as he chanted 'Jai Shree Ram' while addressing a rally in the state a day ago.

West Bengal has witnessed violence in the last six phases of the Lok Sabha polls and its run-up with the BJP emerging as the major opposition force against the ruling TMC.

"I am chanting Jai Shree Ram now, I am leaving for Kolkata. Arrest me if you can," Shah said at a rally at Joynagar near Kolkata in South 24 Parganas district.

Jai Shree Ram is a slogan often used by Hindus to praise Lord Ram.

The BJP leaders often use it while delivering their slogan.

The entire row over the Jai Shree Ram slogan started recently when a video went viral on the social media where a group of people were seen chanting the slogan when Mamata Banerjee's convoy was passing through an area.

In the video, the CM could be seen stopping her convoy and chasing those who chanted the slogan.

BJP and Mamata Banerjee's TMC are engaged in a stiff political battle in Bengal.

In the last phase of voting on Sunday, people will exercise their franchise in nine seats.

Amit Shah had earlier said that his party will win 23 seats in Bengal this year.