Shah visits BJP's election 'war room' in city, reviews polls.

PTI, April 23, 2026, Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday visited the BJP's 'war room' at the party's Salt Lake office here, shortly after polling began for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, party sources said.

Shah, who is closely overseeing the party's campaign in the state, reached the 'war room' in the morning and held a closed-door meeting with senior BJP leaders to assess the ground situation, they said.

The visit assumes significance as it was not part of his official itinerary and came within hours of voting commencing across several constituencies in North Bengal and parts of South Bengal.

According to sources, the Union Minister took stock of the polling process, particularly in the North Bengal districts where the BJP seeks to retain its stronghold.

The former BJP president also reviewed feedback from party functionaries and booth-level workers regarding voter turnout and any reports of disturbances.

Several senior leaders from outside West Bengal, who have been camping in the state for the past few days to oversee the party's election machinery, were present during the meeting.

The BJP has set up a centralised 'war room' at its Salt Lake office to monitor polling across constituencies in real time, coordinate responses, and streamline communication between ground workers and the party leadership.