kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, May 28 — The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in full swing preparing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled rally in North Bengal on May 29, even as it awaits final confirmation regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kolkata on June 1. With both leaders expected to make back-to-back appearances in the state, BJP cadres are treating the moment as the unofficial launch of the party’s campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The PM’s rally, which will be held in Jalpaiguri, is expected to address both local concerns and national issues. It will mark Modi’s first major public meeting in Bengal following the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to party insiders, the PM will not only thank voters for their support in the general election but also signal a renewed political offensive against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders in Bengal, including state president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, are busy coordinating logistics for Shah’s possible visit. Though the official itinerary is yet to be announced, sources say that the Home Minister is likely to hold an organizational meeting at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on June 1. This meeting is expected to bring together newly appointed mandal presidents, district leaders, and key office bearers from across the state.

The meeting was originally planned to be held at Science City Auditorium, but due to prior bookings, the venue had to be changed. According to Sukanta Majumdar, the stadium venue has already been secured and preparations are underway. “We are hopeful that Amit Shah ji will address our party functionaries on June 1. It will be a massive boost for the team as we prepare for the next phase of political challenges in Bengal,” said Majumdar during an interaction with reporters.

Shah’s visit, if confirmed, will carry strategic importance. Party leaders see it as a chance to regroup and re-energize the state organization, which has witnessed internal friction and a dip in morale after the 2021 Assembly election defeat and subsequent local body poll performances. The BJP central leadership is also reportedly keen to involve all senior state leaders — including those who had taken a backseat — in a coordinated campaign ahead of the 2026 elections.

To that end, the state BJP has been directed to bring back veteran voices such as Dilip Ghosh and Rahul Sinha into more prominent roles. The party is working on a strategy that blends aggressive grassroots outreach with high-profile visits by central leaders to maintain visibility and momentum.

The proposed visit by Shah also coincides with Jamai Sasthi — a traditional Bengali celebration of sons-in-law — prompting some discussion within the ranks about public engagement levels that day. However, party leaders have chosen to go ahead, citing the urgency of organizational rebuilding and the importance of Shah’s feedback.

Both Modi’s and Shah’s presence in Bengal within a span of days is being viewed as a show of force by the BJP to reassert its position in the state’s political landscape. Despite electoral setbacks, the BJP remains the principal opposition party in Bengal and is eager to solidify its base ahead of the next round of municipal and state elections.

As anticipation builds and preparations peak, the Bengal BJP hopes that these high-level visits will not only boost morale but also provide a clear roadmap for regaining lost ground in a politically turbulent state.