Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 27: As the noisy campaigning in the West Bengal Assembly elections drew to a close on Monday evening, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned an emotional letter to the people of the state inviting them to “celebrate the installation of a BJP government together,” while the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the social media asserted that the victory of the “Maa, Maati, Manush” was no longer a mere prediction but only a “matter of time.”
Describing his campaigning in West Bengal both “spiritually uplifting and politically significant,” Mr Modi said every election was a sacred festival of democracy and that he felt privileged to participate in it. Reflecting on his extensive campaign, the Prime Minister said he had the opportunity to present the BJP’s development roadmap before the people of the state.
He described experiencing a “unique energy” during the campaign, adding that despite the intense heat and back-to-back rallies, he did not feel fatigued. “These rallies and roadshows felt like a pilgrimage,” he wrote, attributing his strength to the blessings of Maa Kali and the devotion of the people.
Ms Banerjee on the other hand making a strong pitch for support to her Trinamool Congress (TMC), in a long post on micro-blogging website X recalled that Bengal remained a beacon of harmony, culture, and civilisational pride, and the state has no place for divisive and destructive forces who are planning to tarnish its heritage apparently hitting out at the BJP. The BJP, she said, would receive the response it deserved.
Before the close of the campaigning, Mr Modi held a roadshow in Barrackpore in the outskirts of Kolkata. In total, 142 constituencies will go to the polls in this phase on the April 29. Ahead of holding the road show, PM Modi on Monday addressed a Vijay Sankalp rally in Barrackpore, highlighting his long association with the state and expressing confidence in a BJP victory after the results on May 4.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said Bengal has played a deeply personal role in his life and spiritual journey. “The attachment I have had towards Bengal has been a devotion to Shakti. This has been the energy centre of my personal spiritual journey. It has been inspired by Bengal’s great personalities and the immense love of the people, the Janata Janardan. The experiences I have had on this land of Bengal, I consider a great blessing upon myself,” PM Modi said.
Calling the Barrackpore rally his final public meeting in the ongoing election campaign in the state, he expressed confidence in the electoral outcome. “This is my last rally in this election, and wherever I have gone in West Bengal, I have seen the mood of the people. I am returning with the confidence that after the results on May 4, I will have to come back to attend the BJP’s oath-taking ceremony,” he added.
PM Modi also spoke about his emotional connect with people during campaign events, saying he values the gestures and messages he received. “During the rallies and roadshows in Bengal, I received such heartfelt messages and portraits that I will never forget them. After the events, I take time at night to carefully look at each portrait, reflecting on the emotions expressed by the artists. I also read your messages and letters. In some, I find your pain. In others, I sense your blessings. Later, I make sure my responses are thoughtfully recorded,” PM Modi said.
Highlighting his decades-long political journey, he said he has remained continuously engaged in organisational and electoral responsibilities. “For the past three to four decades, I have been travelling to every corner of the country. After entering politics and joining the BJP, I have worked as a party worker, doing whatever responsibilities the party assigns to me, including handling election duties. I do not consider day or night, nor do I look at the weather; I keep moving. Since I left my home, I have found comfort and peace among all of you, and you are my family,” he added.
In his letter too, he described experiencing a “unique energy” during the campaign, adding that despite the intense heat and back-to-back rallies, he did not feel fatigued. “These rallies and roadshows felt like a pilgrimage,” he wrote, attributing his strength to the blessings of Maa Kali and the devotion of the people.
Drawing a parallel with the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January 2024, for which he had observed an 11-day ritual and fast, Modi said he experienced a similar spiritual feeling during the Bengal campaign. The Prime Minister also highlighted the emotional connect he felt with people and said the affection of youth, women, elders and families he received were his “greatest treasure.”
Observing the public mood, Modi said the youth, women, farmers and workers of Bengal were eager for development and opportunities. He noted that young people seek open avenues for growth, while women aspire for safety and freedom.
“There has been enough fear; now people want trust, now they want the BJP,” he wrote, signalling the party’s campaign message.
Ms Banerjee in her post said, “The momentum of development has touched every corner of this state. No malicious force can halt it. Our people-centric welfare initiatives are the protective shield of Bengal’s citizens, and no power on earth has the authority to snatch them away,” she said. Ms Banerjee, who is contesting the 2026 elections from her Bhabanipur constituency, said she remained confident that people of Bengal would will stand for the state’s “development, peace, and progress as they always have.”
“To protect our language, our culture, and the proud legacy of this land, I humbly appeal to every citizen, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or background, to press the Joraphool symbol on 29th April and ensure a resounding victory for all Maa-Maati-Manush candidates,” Banerjee added.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress MP from Arambagh Mitali Bag on Monday alleged that BJP’s goons vandalised her car at Goghat in Hooghly district when she was going to the rally of party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. However, rejecting the charges, the BJP claimed that Bag is staging a “drama” and, actually, workers of the TMC attacked those of the saffron party.
In the meantime, an Election Commission official said a report had been sought about the alleged incident and that central forces were camping at the spot. Mitali Bag was reportedly admitted to a local hospital. Officials said the situation in the area remains peaceful at present, with security forces maintaining strict vigilance.
According to an X post by the TMC, the party leader’s car was vandalised. The party accused the BJP of “an attempt on her life.” Sharing Mitali Bag’s video, TMC posted on X, “Amit Shah threatened our leaders and party workers that anyone who steps out of their house would be hanged upside down. Today, that threat was acted upon. Our MP, Mitali Bag, an elected female representative from the Scheduled Caste community, was brutally and dastardly attacked by BJP lumpens and thugs. Her car was vandalised. Her windshield was smashed. Shards of glass pierced her body. Hear her writhe in agony.”
“This is an attempt on the life of an elected Member of Parliament. Amit Shah issued the order from the stage. His lumpens carried it out on the street. The chain of command is direct. The responsibility is his. This is the extent to which the BJP is willing to go when defeat stares them in the face. Violence. Blood. An attack on a woman. An attack on a Scheduled Caste representative. In broad daylight. Without shame,” the post read.
Earlier in the day, the West Bengal Police arrested four individuals in connection with the violent clashes between TMC and BJP supporters in front of the Jagatdal Police Station.
