PM Modi's Bengal Rally in Cooch Behar Kicks Off BJP's 2026 Campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address his first rally in West Bengal since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared its candidate list for the 2026 assembly elections. The rally will take place in Cooch Behar on April 5, marking a significant moment in the party's electoral strategy for the state.
Strategic Importance of Cooch Behar
Cooch Behar holds particular significance for the BJP. In the 2021 assembly elections, the party won eight out of nine constituencies in the district, building its base through sustained outreach among local ethnic groups such as the Rajbanshi, Koch, Mech, and Rava communities. This success was supported by a significant expansion of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakhas and schools in the area.
However, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections dealt a setback to the BJP's momentum. The Trinamool Congress wrested the Cooch Behar parliamentary seat from the party, with former Union minister of state for home Nisith Pramanik losing by nearly 40,000 votes. Additionally, the BJP ceded leads in four assembly segments, highlighting challenges in maintaining its earlier gains.
BJP's Recovery Efforts and Campaign Plans
In response to these losses, the BJP has been working to recover lost ground. Last year, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for a Rs 1,010 crore city gas distribution project covering Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, signaling continued investment in the region's development.
The party plans to intensify its campaign across West Bengal from April 9, after nominations are filed for the first two phases of the elections. This strategic timing aims to capitalize on the momentum generated by Modi's rally and other preparatory activities.
Manifesto and Political Developments
On the manifesto front, the Bengal BJP indicated on Sunday that national president Nitin Nabin may release the document in the state. An earlier plan to have Union home minister Amit Shah unveil it on Saturday was shelved after the party's top brass decided to incorporate changes, delaying publication by a few days.
A team led by economist Ashok Lahiri has been working on the manifesto for over a month. Nabin, who visited Bengal last week, held discussions on its contents to ensure it addresses key state-specific issues.
Instead of the manifesto, Amit Shah released a 14-point "charge sheet" against the Trinamool government on Saturday. A senior Bengal BJP leader stated, "The charge sheet has pointed out the failures of governance; the manifesto will provide the answers."
Key Nominations and Leadership Roles
In related political developments, leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari will file his nomination from Nandigram on Monday, with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan present at the filing. Amit Shah may accompany Adhikari when he files his nomination from Bhowanipore, underscoring the high-level support for key candidates.
These moves are part of a broader effort by the BJP to strengthen its position in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 elections, leveraging both local outreach and national leadership to challenge the incumbent Trinamool Congress.
