As the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections draw closer, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is reportedly planning to dedicate a significant amount of time to the state, mirroring strategies previously employed in other crucial electoral battles. Sources suggest Shah intends to spend 8-10 days each month in West Bengal, immersing himself in the party's election preparations and providing guidance to state leaders.

This move underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) determination to unseat the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Shah's increased focus on West Bengal signifies the importance the BJP places on this eastern state.

Shah has already begun holding meetings with West Bengal BJP MPs and district-level leaders to strategize for the upcoming polls. Discussions have revolved around strengthening booth-level organization, increasing voter share, and addressing key issues such as women's safety and the implementation of central government initiatives for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

One of the BJP's primary objectives is to increase its voter share in the state. The party believes that a swing of just 3-4% in their favor could be enough to win them a majority of seats in the 294-seat assembly. To achieve this, the BJP is focusing on strengthening its presence at the grassroots level and reaching out to new voters.

A key aspect of the BJP's strategy involves addressing concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The party aims to counter the TMC's narrative that the BJP is anti-Bengali and alleviate any panic among voters regarding the revision process. The BJP has accused the TMC of benefiting from an inflated voter list over the years and maintains that the SIR will help weed out ineligible voters.

The BJP is also keen on highlighting issues related to women's safety in West Bengal. Recent incidents, including the R G Kar rape-murder case and allegations of rape at a Kolkata law college, have put the issue of women's security in the spotlight. The party intends to make women's safety a central theme of its election campaign.

Furthermore, the BJP plans to showcase the central government's initiatives for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities in West Bengal. The party believes that these initiatives will resonate with voters from these communities and help garner their support.

In addition to these specific issues, the BJP is also focusing on broader themes such as national security and illegal immigration. Shah has accused Mamata Banerjee's government of appeasing Muslim voters and turning a blind eye to illegal infiltration from across the border. He has also alleged that the state government is obstructing the Border Security Force (BSF) in its efforts to secure the border.

The TMC, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of politicizing sensitive issues and spreading misinformation. The party has also defended its track record on development and social welfare. As the election campaign intensifies, a fierce battle is expected between the BJP and the TMC for the hearts and minds of the voters in West Bengal.