PM Narendra Modi Leads BJP’s Final Push in Bengal as Phase 2 Poll Campaign Ends Amid High-Stakes Battles
As campaigning for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections drew to a close, political activity across the state reached a peak, with major leaders from all parties making their final appeal to voters through rallies, roadshows, and public meetings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive gathering at Barrackpore during the ‘Vijay Sankalp Sabha,’ where he linked the region’s historic role in the 1857 uprising to today’s call for political transformation.
The rally witnessed a strong turnout, reflecting the BJP’s aggressive push ahead of polling.
The BJP’s campaign momentum was further strengthened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who led a high-energy roadshow on the final day, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took out a similar show of strength in Kalyani.
Senior BJP leader Smriti Irani also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections, emphasizing that the party’s campaign remains focused on development in Bengal.
Earlier, PM Modi visited the historic Thanthania Kalibari temple in north Kolkata, describing it as an integral part of Bengal’s rich cultural heritage, before heading into campaign mode.
On the other side, the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) remains confident about retaining power.
Party leader Firhad Hakim reiterated that the TMC expects a strong mandate, while spokesperson Tanmoy Ghosh asserted that “outsiders” would no longer have a role in Bengal politics after May 4, expressing confidence that the party could secure between 230 and 250 seats under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.
The second phase of polling, covering 142 constituencies, is set to witness several high-profile contests.
Mamata Banerjee is contesting from Bhabanipur, where she faces a formidable challenge from the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. Other key TMC candidates include Aroop Biswas, Bratya Basu, and Firhad Hakim himself.
From the BJP camp, prominent names such as Swapan Dasgupta (Rashbehari) and Rupa Ganguly (Dakshin Domjur) are in the fray. Meanwhile, in Bhangar, Indian Secular Front leader Nawsad Siddique is seeking re-election in a triangular contest against TMC’s Saokat Molla and Congress candidate Mahabubul Islam.
As the state heads into this crucial phase, the intensity of the campaign reflects the high stakes involved, with all parties striving to secure a decisive mandate in one of India’s most closely watched elections.
