Kolkata, Dec 19 (IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda at the the latter's ancestral residence in Kolkata.

Shah is on a two-day visit to West Bengal to take stock of the situation ahead of the crucial state Assembly elections.

The Union Minister landed in Kolkata late Friday night.

Shah also traveled to Midnapore by a chopper where he paid tributes to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose and offered prayers at two temples in the district.

He will also visit a farmer's home for lunch and is slated to address a mega public rally at the Midnapore College ground.

"I am happy and fortunate to be here at the residence of Khudiram Bose. He died at the age of 18 while fighting with the British imperial forces. He was a youth icon. We need to think of Bose's contributions to the Motherland and take forward the legacy amongst our youth," Shah said after paying tribute to the freedom fighter.

He said that the people of Bengal must rise from petty politics and work towards strengthening the unity of the country.

Shah's two-day visit came amidst a growing rebellion in the ruling Trinamool Congress with many disgruntled legislators stepping down from their posts.

Speculation is rife that Suvendu Adhikari, who had resigned from the party and gave up cabinet portfolios in the Mamata Banerjee-led government, may also join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with a slew of disgruntled leaders.

Adhikari is also on his way to Midnapore.

According to insiders close of Adhikari, the list of Trinamool Congress lawmakers, who are likely join the BJP during Shah's mega public rally, may include at least 10-12 big names.