The final hours of campaigning for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections saw escalating tensions and personal attacks among party leaders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over a controversial proposal to build a mosque in Murshidabad, likening it to the Babri Masjid. Shah's remarks included accusations of Banerjee shielding 'infiltrators' and a call for vigilance against such constructions in Bengal. In response, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee criticized Shah for disrespecting a three-time elected female leader, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's previous comments that belittled her. Abhishek labeled Shah as a 'gunda' and challenged him to remain in West Bengal after the election results on May 4. Shah held four rallies across the state, promising to resolve Gorkha issues, while Banerjee accused central agencies of being manipulated by the BJP. The first phase of voting will take place on April 23 across 152 constituencies.