Kolkata – The West Bengal BJP is set to hold a crucial meeting in Kolkata today, focusing on strategies for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections and the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) awareness camps. With the elections drawing closer, the party aims to consolidate its position and strengthen its connection with grassroots communities, particularly targeting Hindu refugees.
A key aspect of the BJP's strategy involves organizing approximately 700 CAA application camps across nine districts bordering Bangladesh. These camps will primarily target the Matua community and other Hindu refugee populations who have migrated to Bengal due to religious persecution. The initiative seeks to assist individuals in applying for citizenship under the CAA, addressing concerns related to documentation and eligibility.
The BJP views the CAA as a crucial tool for safeguarding Hindus who have come from Bangladesh. Party leaders believe that increased CAA applications, coupled with the consolidation of Hindu votes, will significantly bolster their prospects in the 2026 elections.
In addition to the CAA initiative, the BJP is also focusing on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. The party supports the deletion of illegal immigrants' names from the voters' list and has offered assistance to the government in this process. West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya has warned party members that any lapses in the SIR process could lead to a "grim situation" after the 2026 polls. The BJP’s general secretary (organisation), B L Santhosh, has urged party members to conduct an intensive CAA exercise in the coming months.
The BJP's efforts are not without challenges. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has mounted a counter-offensive, combining emotional appeals with allegations of harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states. The TMC is also accused of delaying the census exercise to gain political mileage.
The BJP aims to counter Mamata Banerjee’s "Bangali Asmita" (Bengali Identity) pitch. The party is setting up the CAA camps as a lifeline for persecuted Hindus from Bangladesh and as a direct ideological counter to the TMC's identity politics. The BJP plans to reach out to 1.5 crore people over the next few months through these camps, ensuring that every persecuted Hindu has a stake in the CAA.
The meeting in Kolkata today will likely involve discussions on camp management, volunteer recruitment, coordination with local administration, and strategies to address challenges faced during the citizenship application process. Bhupendra Yadav, the party's Bengal unit election in-charge, is scheduled to meet with district functionaries to assess campaign preparedness and organizational strength at the booth level.
The BJP's focus on the CAA and SIR reflects its strategy to consolidate Hindu votes and address the issue of illegal immigration, aiming to strengthen its position in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. The party is striving to connect with grassroots communities and ensure the participation of refugees in the CAA process, bolstering its ground presence ahead of the polls.
