Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Friday in Kolkata with a boat ride on the Hooghly River, meeting local boatmen and spending time along the ghats, while underlining his government’s commitment to West Bengal’s development in the middle of an intense election season.
The visit comes a day after the first phase of polling in West Bengal, which recorded over 90 per cent turnout in several districts, setting the tone for a high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the next phase scheduled on April 29 and results on May 4.
Sharing his experience on X, the Prime Minister reflected on the cultural and spiritual significance of the Ganga for Bengalis and posted photographs from the river.
“For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation. This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly River, an opportunity to express gratitude to Maa Ganga. Also had the opportunity to meet boatmen, whose hard-working nature is admirable, and morning walkers. On the Hooghly, reiterated our commitment to work towards the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of the great Bengali people,” he wrote.
প্রত্যেক বাঙালির কাছে গঙ্গা একটি অত্যন্ত বিশেষ স্থান অধিকার করে আছে। বলা যায়, গঙ্গা যেন বাংলার আত্মার মধ্য দিয়ে প্রবাহিত হয়। পবিত্র গঙ্গা জল সমগ্র সভ্যতার চিরন্তন চেতনা বহন করে চলেছে।
আজ সকালে কলকাতায় আমি হুগলি নদীর তীরে কিছু সময় কাটিয়েছি—মা গঙ্গার প্রতি কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশের… pic.twitter.com/P3oZOywjKf
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026
In another post, he shared additional images, including views of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge, saying, “Some more glimpses from the banks of the Hooghly. Tried my hand at photographing this great river. Also caught a close glimpse of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge.”
গতকাল সন্ধ্যায়, হাওড়া থেকে কলকাতা পর্যন্ত দীর্ঘ রোড-শো’র সময় হাওড়া ব্রিজের ওপর ছিলাম। আর আজ সকালে, হুগলি নদী থেকে এই ব্রিজকে দেখলাম! pic.twitter.com/UQgblRsetj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026
কলকাতা থেকে আরও কিছু মুহূর্ত। হুগলি নদীতে সত্যিই এক অনবদ্য সকাল। pic.twitter.com/ATKK0Ko47R
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026
হুগলী তীরের আরো কিছু ছবি।
এই পুণ্যতোয়া গঙ্গার ছবি তোলার একটু চেষ্টা করলাম। খুব কাছ থেকে বিদ্যাসাগর সেতু আর হাওড়া ব্রীজও দেখলাম। pic.twitter.com/sfDcbiMIkl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026
Campaign pitch sharpens after first phase
The Prime Minister’s outreach in Kolkata followed his campaign rallies on Thursday, where he struck a combative note against the Trinamool Congress.
Addressing a gathering in Krishnanagar, PM Modi said a wave of change was visible across the state. “Everyone is saying, ‘Paltano Dorkar’ (change is necessary)… A storm of change is sweeping through Bengal… Exactly ten days later, when the votes are counted, I am confident that the lotus will bloom everywhere,” he said.
He also targeted the ruling party over women’s rights and legislative decisions.
“TMC voted against it. The TMC usurped the rights of the women of Bengal. Bengal is the land where Durga is worshipped, and the insults to women’s honour that TMC has inflicted here, the atrocities that have been committed against them–your one vote will hold them accountable. Now, we will not tolerate injustice anymore. Enough is enough; they’ve been oppressing for these 15 years. This won’t continue now,” he said.
High turnout marks first phase
The first phase of polling saw a significant voter turnout, with some districts crossing the 90 per cent mark. The elections have turned into a closely watched contest, with both sides intensifying their campaigns ahead of the remaining phases.
The next round of voting will take place on April 29, while counting is scheduled for May 4.