Kolkata: Ahead of the second phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-voltage rallies and roadshows in key pockets such as Howrah and Dum Dum are widely expected to bolster the Bharatiya Janata Party’s vote share. Beyond merely drawing massive crowds, these events are strategically designed to generate momentum, consolidate the party’s core support base, and sway undecided voters by projecting decisive central leadership.
The Prime Minister unleashed a high-energy campaign blitz across Howrah and Dum Dum, creating a powerful mix of political messaging, symbolism, and large-scale crowd mobilisation that could significantly influence the trajectory of contests in crucial urban constituencies.
From a massive public gathering in Dum Dum to a visually compelling roadshow stretching from Howrah into Kolkata—passing through the iconic Howrah Bridge—Modi’s outreach combined sharp political messaging with carefully choreographed optics. This campaign push comes at a decisive juncture, as the BJP seeks to deepen its presence in regions where it had previously underperformed electorally.
The day’s political activity began on a symbolic and spiritual note with Modi’s visit to Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, where he paid homage to Swami Vivekananda. Shortly afterward, visuals of his boat ride along the Hooghly River—with the Howrah Bridge forming a striking backdrop—circulated widely across social media platforms, setting the tone for a campaign that blended symbolism with calculated strategy.
As the roadshow commenced, the streets were thronged with people. Thousands lined the route, waving party flags, chanting slogans, and recording the spectacle on their phones. Reflecting on the turnout, Modi remarked that the scale of the roadshow was beyond description and asserted that a clear “desire for change” was visible across Bengal.
At his Dum Dum rally, Modi intensified his criticism of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He described the first phase of polling as the “death knell” of what he called “jungle raj,” arguing that the high voter turnout signaled a strong appetite for political change.
Alleging widespread intimidation and electoral violence by the TMC, he warned that those responsible would have “no place to hide” once the results were declared. The Prime Minister also brought up issues related to women’s safety, citing incidents such as Sandeshkhali and the RG Kar case, and positioned the BJP as a party committed to ensuring justice and accountability.
His address also focused on governance and economic concerns. Referring to tax reforms, Modi appealed to the middle class by stating that the Centre had reduced financial burdens through measures such as increasing the tax-free income threshold. He contrasted central welfare initiatives like “Har Ghar Jal” with what he described as the TMC’s “Har Ghar Bomb” culture, sharpening the political narrative.
On the ground, the rallies appeared to generate considerable enthusiasm, particularly among first-time voters and sections of the urban working class.
Chote Lal Raut, a worker at a marble shop, said that the sheer scale of the rally convinced him that “the BJP is set to form the government in Bengal, and the credit goes to the Prime Minister.”
Ranjeet Singh, a factory owner, expressed a similar view, stating that he had never witnessed such a massive gathering in Bengal, not even at the Chief Minister’s rallies, and that it reflected a growing desire for change.
