Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set for major victories in the upcoming elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, arguing that the people across India have “rejected the Congress and its allies.” Shah’s remarks came during the final day of his three-day visit to Gujarat, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects worth ₹1,500 crore.

Speaking at an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation event, Shah projected strong electoral prospects for the NDA, citing the alliance’s sweeping performance in the recent Bihar assembly elections where it secured a two-thirds majority. With West Bengal and Tamil Nadu heading to polls next year, he predicted that the NDA’s momentum would continue, saying, “After Bihar, it is the NDA’s turn in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.”

Shah highlighted what he described as a decade-long trajectory of political consolidation for the BJP, beginning with the 2014 Lok Sabha election and culminating in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic third consecutive term in 2024. According to him, the Congress has been “wiped out” from major states including Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and now Bihar. “People have rejected the Congress across the country,” he said, claiming that the opposition lacked leaders, a vision, or public support.

Addressing political rivals directly, Shah said, “I would like to tell Mamata Banerjee and Stalinji to be prepared.” He added that the NDA would deliver strong results in their respective states, asserting that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu would face significant setbacks at the polls. “When the election results are declared, they will be wiped out in Bengal and Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Alongside his political statements, Shah also spoke on national development goals and cultural projects. He noted that after the completion of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya—a major milestone for the BJP-led government—the next spiritual initiative would be the construction of a Sita Maiya temple in Sitamarhi, expected to be completed in 2026.

Shah also used the event to outline Ahmedabad’s growing global sporting ambitions. Expressing confidence in the city’s infrastructure, he said Ahmedabad could soon host some of the world’s largest sporting events. He mentioned that after hosting the 2029 World Police and Fire Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the city would be well-positioned to bid for and host the 2036 Olympics.

Highlighting the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave—located adjacent to the world’s largest cricket stadium—Shah said the project strengthens Ahmedabad’s claim as a premier international sporting destination. He praised the city’s efforts to integrate sports facilities within accessible distances, develop open-air gyms and libraries under flyovers, and create community-friendly urban spaces, calling it a model that other cities could emulate.

During the programme, Shah also released the Gujarati edition of Challenges Inspire Me, a book on Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. He later attended the Pramukh Varni Amrit Mahotsav organised by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha at the Sabarmati Riverfront and paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj Ji on his birth anniversary. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “On the birth anniversary of the revered Pramukh Swami Maharaj Ji, a symbol of simplicity, service, and compassion, I remember and pay my respects to him. The ambit of Swami Ji’s thoughts and knowledge was so vast that every conversation with him provided new inspiration and energy.”

As the election year approaches for several key states, Shah’s remarks signal the BJP’s growing focus on expanding its influence beyond its traditional strongholds, sharpening its political positioning for the upcoming electoral battles in 2026.