Union Home Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Monday evening for a significant three-day visit to West Bengal, months ahead of the crucial state Assembly elections. His arrival marks a strategic push by the central leadership to galvanize the party's state unit and fine-tune its electoral roadmap.
Strategic Meetings and Key Agendas
Upon landing in Kolkata on December 30, 2025, Shah expressed his sentiments on social media, stating he was "overwhelmed by the love and affection" shown by party workers at the airport. He was formally received by BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya and the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.
Shah proceeded directly to the party's state headquarters in Salt Lake, where he immediately convened two pivotal meetings. The first involved top state BJP functionaries, followed by a more focused session with approximately ten central and state leaders. Key figures in attendance included:
- Sukanta Majumdar
- Locket Chatterjee
- Biplab Deb
- Sunil Bansal
- Amit Malviya
- Bhupendra Yadav
The Home Minister's schedule for the subsequent days is packed with critical engagements. On Tuesday, he is set to hold discussions with members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP's core committee. Wednesday will see him address two major gatherings: one with all BJP MLAs from the state and another with booth-level workers representing all 144 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. He is also slated to offer prayers at the Thanthania Kalibari.
Focus on Matua, Rajbanshi Communities and SIR Concerns
According to insider accounts from the party, a central theme of the marathon discussions was the BJP's outreach to the Matua and Rajbanshi communities. These demographics are considered vital to the party's electoral arithmetic in Bengal. The talks gained urgency due to reports that a substantial number of Matua names were omitted from the draft list prepared under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Shah and state leaders extensively deliberated on this issue and explored potential corrective measures.
The visit also involved strategizing to counter the political moves of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, particularly her recent overtures to Hindu voters. These include the inauguration of the Jagannath temple in Digha and the foundation stone-laying ceremony for Durgangan in New Town. Shah assessed how the state unit plans to navigate these developments and the broader implications of the SIR exercise on the BJP's prospects.
Organizational Review and Campaign Planning
A comprehensive organizational review was a key component of Shah's visit. He sought detailed assessments on multiple fronts, including:
- The outcomes of the recent membership drive.
- The progress of organizational elections.
- The election of the state president and overall booth-level strengthening efforts.
Furthermore, Shah discussed the ongoing roadshows, evaluating public response, the highlighting of local issues, and the general ground situation. He inquired about the party's blueprint from January onwards for the central leadership's campaign schedule in the state. The leaders also briefed him on the proposed Rath Yatra, covering planned routes, anticipated public response, potential advantages, and possible logistical or political challenges.
This intensive three-day visit underscores the BJP's focus on consolidating its position in West Bengal, addressing community-specific concerns, and building a robust, ground-level machinery ahead of the high-stakes Assembly elections.
