Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday described the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections as not merely a political win but a "victory of India's cultural consciousness" and a "battle of civilisations". Shekhawat made the remarks during a grand reception organised by party workers in Jodhpur — his first visit to his hometown after the Bengal result.

Key Remarks at the Jodhpur Reception

Addressing party workers emotionally, Shekhawat spoke at length about the BJP's decade-long struggle in Bengal and the sacrifices made by its workers on the ground. He placed the election outcome in a sweeping historical context, tracing West Bengal's political journey from the rule of Bakhtiyar Khilji and the Mughal era through British rule, and then through Congress, Left Front, and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) governments after Independence.

He claimed that, for the first time, West Bengal now has a government committed to nationalist ideology and Hindutva — a characterisation that critics from opposition parties are likely to contest.

Role of Amit Shah and Security Deployment

Shekhawat credited Home Minister Amit Shah with a central role in the BJP's Bengal turnaround, saying Shah had assured party workers after the 2016 poll defeat that the party would emerge stronger. He also highlighted Shah's reported role in ensuring a large-scale deployment of security forces for peaceful polling, claiming Shah had even diverted personnel from his own security arrangement to assist election duties in the state.

Allegations Against the Previous Government

The Union Minister alleged that the election was also a battle to protect the Constitution and the federal structure, accusing the previous TMC government of encouraging demographic imbalance and patronising infiltrators — allegations that the TMC has consistently denied. Shekhawat recalled that BJP supporters had faced an atmosphere of fear and political violence as far back as 2016.

"There were times when even party supporters hesitated to step out of their homes," he said. He further claimed that thousands of party supporters had been displaced from their homes over the years, and that he had personally provided shelter to several BJP workers at his Delhi residence after their homes were allegedly attacked.

Ramayana Parallel and 'Viksit Bharat' Vision

Drawing a parallel with the mythological epic Ramayana, Shekhawat compared the BJP's poll campaign to Lord Ram's battle against Ravana, saying the party had united and empowered people living in fear through what he called "Lok Sangrah" — the mobilisation and organisation of the masses.

He described West Bengal as the land of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said the state would now play a key role in achieving the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047". He also praised Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and former Minister Kailash Choudhary for their contributions to the poll campaign, dedicating the victory to workers who persevered despite alleged violence and intimidation.

With the BJP now forming a government in Bengal, the political and administrative choices made in the coming months will be closely watched as a test of whether the party can translate its electoral mandate into governance on the ground.