After Modi rally, Mamata set to counter as North Bengal campaign heats up

After a brief one-day pause, the political temperature in North Bengal has begun to rise again.

On 12 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive election rally at Kawakhali ground in Siliguri, energising voters with a speech that combined promises of development for North Bengal with sharp attacks on the ruling party in the state. His address was seen as politically significant, setting the tone for the next phase of campaigning.

Advertisement

Following a day’s break on 13 April, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to campaign in North Bengal on 14 April. According to sources, her first public meeting will be held at Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri district, after which she is expected to cover multiple Assembly constituencies across the region.

On the same day, Union home minister Amit Shah will address a rally at Gazole in Malda district. With both the Trinamul Congress and the BJP stepping up their campaigns, preparations for these high-profile rallies are in full swing.

Political observers believe that Banerjee is likely to respond strongly to the issues raised by the Prime Minister during his Siliguri rally. She has already begun countering some of his remarks in her meetings in South Bengal, and a more direct rebuttal is expected during her North Bengal tour.

Notably, during the 2016 Assembly elections, Banerjee had coined the slogan, “Assume every candidate is me,” projecting herself as the face of all party nominees. She has reiterated the same message this year, emphasising her personal connect with every constituency.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Modi, in his Siliguri speech, made a comparable assertion. Addressing the crowd, he said, “You are Modi,” and went on to add, “Every candidate is Modi,” attempting to align BJP candidates closely with his leadership and the party’s development narrative. He also indicated that the guarantees of development he promises would extend equally through the party’s candidates.

According to political analysts, both leaders are deploying a similar strategy ~ projecting their personal image as synonymous with their respective candidates to consolidate voter support.

Against this backdrop, Banerjee’s rally at Maynaguri is expected to witness a strong political counterattack, with voters in North Bengal likely to see an intensifying war of words.