kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, April 22: Campaigning for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections intensified on Wednesday as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Yogi Adityanath addressed a public rally in the historic Jorasanko Assembly constituency of north Kolkata. Seeking support for BJP candidates, Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of undermining Bengal’s cultural and spiritual legacy.

Party workers and supporters in Jorasanko, the birthplace of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Adityanath invoked the region’s rich heritage to drive home his political message. He described the area as sacred soil that gave India both its national anthem and national song, referring to Tagore’s enduring contribution to the nation’s identity. Calling Jorasanko the site of the iconic “Thakur Bari,” he said the land carries immense cultural and historical importance not only for Bengal but for the entire country.

The pointed criticism of the Trinamool Congress leadership, Adityanath alleged that places associated with Bengal’s icons were being politicised. He claimed that spaces which should celebrate national pride and cultural figures were being misused for partisan symbolism. Without mincing words, he accused the ruling party of disrespecting the spirit of Indian nationalism and Bengal’s own identity.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also took aim at Kolkata’s civic administration over remarks related to the use of Urdu in official communication. He asserted that Bengal’s identity is deeply rooted in its own spiritual and cultural traditions and cannot be altered for political convenience. Referring to religious and cultural issues, he alleged that traditional Hindu practices and festivals faced obstacles under the current dispensation. He further claimed that sentiments associated with Lord Ram and Durga Puja were not given due respect by the state government.

Drawing a comparison between West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath said that law and order in Bengal today resembled the situation in Uttar Pradesh before 2017, when the BJP came to power in the northern state. He highlighted what he described as a transformation in Uttar Pradesh under BJP rule, asserting that peace and stability had replaced unrest. According to him, the people of Uttar Pradesh are now experiencing what he termed a new era of “Ram Rajya,” marked by development and improved governance.

Emphasising the BJP’s “double-engine government” model, Adityanath argued that coordinated governance between the Centre and the state ensures faster development and stronger law enforcement. He maintained that such a framework was essential for restoring stability and safeguarding cultural values in West Bengal. Reiterating the party’s slogan of unity, he called upon voters not to allow divisions within the Hindu community and urged them to support BJP candidates in the upcoming phase of polling.

The rally at Jorasanko comes at a crucial juncture as political parties step up their outreach efforts ahead of voting. The constituency, steeped in history and symbolism, has emerged as a battleground where narratives of culture, identity, and governance are being fiercely contested. With high-voltage speeches and sharp exchanges between rival camps, the campaign trail in Kolkata is witnessing heightened rhetoric as polling day approaches.

The second phase of elections draws near, leaders from across the political spectrum are intensifying their efforts to consolidate support. Adityanath’s address in Jorasanko underlined the BJP’s strategy of blending cultural references with promises of stronger governance, while also mounting a direct challenge to the Trinamool Congress leadership in its traditional stronghold.