West Bengal— PM Modi to kick off BJP’s campaign; party leaders to avoid personal attacks against Mamata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to launch the BJP’s campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections with at least seven high-profile rallies before the election dates are announced. He is expected to intensify criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) by focusing on development, law and order, women’s safety, and governance.

Mamata has already demanded an apology from the Prime Minister, alleging that he insulted Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by referring to him as “Bankim da” during the debate on Vande Mataram in Parliament on Monday. It remains to be seen how the PM responds to this new challenge.

Advertisement

Armed with the newly crafted ‘Vande Mataram’ political tool, PM Modi is expected to hold at least seven rallies across the state, focusing on urban and semi-urban constituencies where the BJP has a chance.

The BJP’s strategy aims to consolidate Hindu voters with RSS support while highlighting development projects showcased during the PM’s earlier visits; however, learning from the 2021 elections—when BJP leaders made personal attacks on Mamata that backfired, alienating voters and boosting her sympathy vote—the party will avoid direct personal remarks against her this time, say sources. The PM is expected to address a rally in Hooghly’s Arambagh soon, which will be followed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s tour.

Notably, Dilip Ghosh’s controversial “Bermuda” remark in 2021 was seen as a major misstep. Speaking at a rally, the then state BJP president mocked Mamata’s leg injury with a jibe about her attire and wheelchair—comments widely perceived as ”sexist”.

Similar remarks by other BJP leaders also boomeranged, generating sympathy among women voters who saw them as insults toward Mamata—viewed as Bengal’s resilient “Didi.” Senior BJP leaders admit that such comments made the party appear insensitive, especially to women voters—crucial for any BJP victory, as seen in recent elections such as Bihar. These miscalculations are believed to have contributed to the TMC’s landslide win despite the BJP’s best efforts.

“She is wearing a saree with one leg exposed. Wear Bermuda instead so everyone can take a clear look,” Ghosh was quoted as saying. A top leader familiar with the Bengal strategy said personal insults regarding appearance, attire, footwear, or family will be strictly avoided by BJP leaders this time.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on what the PM will be saying.

In recent speeches, the PM Modi sharply criticised the TMC over violence, unemployment, and alleged “mafia raj,” promising economic revival and a better future. At a recent meeting with Bengal BJP MPs in Delhi, he also urged them to push aggressive counter-narratives against the TMC’s “dynastic politics” and work on booth-level mobilisation.