The BJP in West Bengal wants party president Amit Shah to contest the 2019 elections from Kolkata. "It will dramatically change the political atmosphere in the state," Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said. "If Mr Narendra Modi can contest from Puri, why not Mr Shah from Kolkata? Remember what happened in Uttar Pradesh after Mr Modi stood from Varanasi?". The Trinamool Congress dismissed the "kite flying" by Mr Ghosh as attempts to "create hype" in Bengal. "An open challenge. Come and contest from any one of the 42 seats," sources in the party said.
