PM Modi’s Mega Women’s Rally in Bengal Today: BJP’s Bid to Breach Mamata’s Bastion Amid Sandeshkhali Row

In less than a week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be back in West Bengal on Wednesday, this time to hold a rally in another district of Bengal. The venue for the rally is the headquarters of North 24 Parganas, Barasat. At least a lakh women are expected to attend the rally.

Preparations are on to make the rally, which is expected to send a message not only to West Bengal, but across the country, a success.

“‘Shakti Vandan Concluding Karyakram’ will feature an address by PM Narendra Modi ji in Barasat, West Bengal. The Prime Minister’s speech will be telecast live in every Mandal across the country and will be watched by women," a Mahila Morcha press communication read.

Prominent women leaders from the party, including sitting MPs Locket Chatterjee and BJP national women’s wing chief Vanathi Srinivasan, will be present for the function.

While Sandeshkhali is storming the headlines, sources also indicated that some women, who have been victims at the hands of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) mafia, may be brought to meet the PM at the venue.

BOOSTING WOMEN POWER

After already having called out the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government for defeating the cause of safety of women in the wake of the Sandeshkhali episode, the PM is expected to continue his attack on the state government and its inability to make women feel secure. The PM is also expected to highlight the achievements of the central government and major steps being taken to empower women. From providing toilets to gas connections, Mudra Yojana loans and opportunities at posts in the Army, the Modi government has a series of initiatives to showcase.

The address will be accompanied by development projects related to the railways and Metro. Before addressing the rally, the PM is expected to dedicate to the state development projects worth more than Rs 15,000 crore.

Another visit of the PM, this time to the northern part of Bengal, is also on the cards in the next few days.

NUMBERSPEAK

The BJP, which was not considered a competitor in Bengal earlier, managed to win two seats in 2014. There was a multifold improvement in the performance of the saffron party in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when the saffron party won 18 seats. Even though it was a bitterly fought election, the BJP also managed to make its mark in the 2021 assembly elections.

The state of Bengal accounts for a huge population of women who have stood solid behind a woman leader, Mamata Banerjee. This time, the BJP is looking to once again weave the Modi magic and breach that bastion.

For the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Amit Shah, senior leader of the BJP and Home Minister, has set a target of 35 of the 42 seats for state leaders. The BJP has already drawn the first list of candidates.