Newz Desk, Durgapur: As West Bengal heads into an election year, the state BJP leadership has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold at least 12 to 15 public rallies in the state during the campaign. According to party sources, the central leadership has given an initial “green signal” to the proposal and assured that Modi is willing to visit Bengal even more frequently if required.
The request was placed during a late-evening strategy meeting at the residence of senior BJP leader and Bengal poll-in-charge Bhupender Yadav. State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya, several Bengal leaders, and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who was on a brief visit to Delhi, were present at the meeting.
Focus on Political Violence, Matuas’ Concerns
Sources said the meeting discussed in detail the issue of political violence in Bengal and the role the Centre could play to ensure pressure on the state government. The BJP believes that the incidents of post-poll violence after the last Assembly election — including cases of murder, rape and attempted rape — remain a critical political issue.
The Calcutta High Court has already ordered CBI investigations into several such cases, and the trials are ongoing. BJP strategists reportedly deliberated on ways to highlight these cases prominently during the campaign to project what they call the “true face of the TMC”. Party MPs and legal figures, including Bansuri Swaraj and advocate Kabir Shankar, attended the meeting to discuss legal strategy. Emphasis was laid on ensuring that unresolved cases in the High Court eventually reach the Supreme Court.
Push for Early Candidate Finalisation
The BJP is also aiming to finalise candidates for around 100 constituencies even before the election notification is issued. Senior leaders believe early announcements will give them a strategic head start.
PM Modi’s Bengal Campaign Schedule
Regarding the Prime Minister’s campaign, sources indicated that Modi is likely to address a major rally in Ranaghat on December 20, aimed in part at reassuring the Matua community amid concerns over the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process. Beyond this, the state leadership has handed the central leadership a preliminary list of locations where they want PM Modi to campaign.
Central leaders reportedly told Shamik Bhattacharya and others that the Prime Minister is “deeply committed” to the BJP’s mission of regime change in Bengal and will visit the state as many times as needed.
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