As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gears up for the crucial 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is laying down a clear directive for party workers: victory must be the only goal. On a three-day visit to West Bengal, concluding on December 31, Shah is holding high-stakes meetings to energize the party and fine-tune their strategy for the upcoming polls.
Shah's visit, which began on December 29, includes closed-door meetings with the BJP's core leadership in West Bengal to assess the party's organizational readiness. Sources indicate that Shah is providing inputs on the formation of the BJP's state committee and evaluating the overall strength and coordination of the party's structure. This visit is strategically timed amidst the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, signaling the party's serious intent to challenge the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
During his visit, Shah is expected to address sensitive issues related to the SIR and outline the BJP's key campaign priorities for the 2026 elections. These priorities include messaging strategies, voter outreach plans, and the mobilization of party workers to ensure maximum impact across constituencies. On December 30, Shah is scheduled to meet with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries and BJP Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly. A press conference and a luncheon with senior journalists are also planned to shape public discourse. On December 31, Shah will address a BJP workers' conference in Kolkata to boost morale and emphasize cohesive campaigning.
West Bengal remains an "unfinished project" for the BJP, a state long dominated by the Left and now the TMC. The BJP aims to address key issues such as infiltration and corruption in West Bengal. Shah has criticized the current governance under Mamata Banerjee and promises the implementation of central schemes if the BJP is elected to power. He has also raised concerns about the safety of women in Bengal.
Shah is pushing for the party to enroll one crore members and has stated that the BJP is determined to improve the state. He has also urged the party's cyber cell in Bengal to connect with millions of mobile phone users in the state and disseminate innovative messages with humor, satire, and even horror to reach the masses. He stressed the importance of connecting with people's religious and social emotions and highlighting the attacks on democratic rights.
