Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin will visit West Bengal for the first time after assuming office, arriving in Kolkata on 27 January for a two-day tour, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said on Wednesday.
According to BJP sources, Nabin decided on the Bengal visit after attending a meeting of the party’s top leadership in New Delhi earlier in the day.
The meeting was attended by central office-bearers, observers in charge of BJP-ruled states, state unit presidents and organisational general secretaries.
While the party did not officially disclose details of the discussions, sources indicated that apart from organisational matters, the meeting also focused on upcoming Assembly elections in several states.
Bhattacharya said that after reaching Kolkata, Nabin will travel to Burdwan, the following day.
It is yet to be confirmed whether he will address a public meeting or attend an organisational programme there. After the Burdwan visit, Nabin is scheduled to return to New Delhi.
Meanwhile, soon after Nabin’s departure, Union home minister Amit Shah will arrive in West Bengal on 30 January.
The BJP has said Shah will not hold any public meetings during this visit and that his entire programme will be organisational in nature.
With the West Bengal Assembly election schedule likely to be announced by the end of February or early March, Shah is expected to hold key meetings to finalise the party’s electoral strategy.
BJP leaders believe the home minister’s visit will be crucial in shaping the future course of the party in the state.