The state BJP has decided to use the Ram Navami celebration as a rallying point for mobilising pro-Hindu forces with an eye on the coming panchayat election.

It has been learnt that RSS, Viswa Hindu Parishad(VHP) and other BJP backed Hindu religious organisations will hold a meeting next week and ensure that more than 500 processions could be organised to mark Ram Navami as well as to accept the challenge of the TMC to organise several processions to celebrate Ram Navami. The BJP, however, asked the saffron brigade workers not to carry party flags, placard or festoons displaying the name of the BJP and its symbol.

A senior BJP leader said that this year in a bid to challenge Trinamul Congress’ Ram Navami procession on 25 March ~ which would be a move of the TMC to display its strength ~ the state BJP has asked all its workers in the districts to organise Ram Navami processions in huge numbers.

BJP’s state president Dilip Ghosh said that Trinamul Congress in recent times is posing themselves as pro-Hindu political party only for political gain but the common people know how the party is trying to appease the Hindu voters.

“The BJP considers Ram Navami as a social programme and our party wants to build a good relationship with the people. We participate in Durga puja, local fairs and other festivals from the time our party was born. But TMC is uttering the name of Ram during the ending of their tenure which is nothing but to strengthen the vote bank,” he said.

Mr Ghosh also said that for the sake of political gain Trinamul Congress supremo can join any party keeping her ideology aside. “Mamata did not hesitate to grab the hand of Shiv Sena or any other party for vested political gain. Now she and her party are uttering the name of Ram to secure Hindu vote,” he said.

Mr Ghosh, however, did not rule out to carry weapons during the rally. He said he will carry the gada (Hindu mythological weapon) during rallies on the day of Ram Navami flouting Kolkata Police’s order of banning the display of arms in a possible confrontation between the saffron camp and the ruling Trinamul Congress.

“We know that the police have banned armed processions this year. But I will carry a gada throwing challenge to the police to arrest me,” Mr Ghosh said.

Kolkata Police issued a public notification on December 20 last year banning the display of weapons in the city this year.

The BJP state president also earlier described the Kolkata Police order as motivated and biased.

He also alleged that it was prompted by the fear of the state government over the euphoria over Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.

In this year, Ram Navami will be celebrated on 25 March. The timing is crucial as the panchayat polls in West Bengal, which are being seen as a rehearsal for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, are supposed to be held in April-May. Ram Navami marks the birthday of Lord Ram, believed to be the seventh incarnation of Vishnu.