BJP plans big urban outreach in Bengal, to hold 2,000 street meetings

The BJP has decided to intensify its campaign in the next four phases of elections in West Bengal, focusing on 40 seats spread across the greater Kolkata region, also called the “presidency area”. Sources also said that considering the unique features of an urban area and in light of the several governance and infrastructure related […]

by Sabyasachi Roy Choudhury - April 13, 2021, 9:49 am

The BJP has decided to intensify its campaign in the next four phases of elections in West Bengal, focusing on 40 seats spread across the greater Kolkata region, also called the “presidency area”.

Sources also said that considering the unique features of an urban area and in light of the several governance and infrastructure related issues facing the city of Kolkata, BJP West Bengal will be organising a massive public outreach campaign in Kolkata wherein more than 2,000 small “potho sabhas” will take place in over 40 Assembly constituencies in and around Kolkata. Various national and state leaders of the BJP will reach out to the plethora of communities residing in Kolkata to share with them BJP’s vision for Kolkata in specific and the state in general. In order to effectively reach out to the general public and keeping in mind the convenience of people, these meetings will take place in the evening in easy to access areas such as housing societies and community centres, among others. This campaign will be inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah on 13 April where

The BJP has decided to intensify its campaign in the next four phases of elections in West Bengal, focusing on 40 seats spread across the greater Kolkata region, also called the “presidency area”.

Sources also said that considering the unique features of an urban area and in light of the several governance and infrastructure related issues facing the city of Kolkata, BJP West Bengal will be organising a massive public outreach campaign in Kolkata wherein more than 2,000 small “potho sabhas” will take place in over 40 Assembly constituencies in and around Kolkata. Various national and state leaders of the BJP will reach out to the plethora of communities residing in Kolkata to share with them BJP’s vision for Kolkata in specific and the state in general. In order to effectively reach out to the general public and keeping in mind the convenience of people, these meetings will take place in the evening in easy to access areas such as housing societies and community centres, among others. This campaign will be inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah on 13 April where he will address “potho sabhas” in the Dum Dum and Baranagar Assembly constituencies.

The BJP leadership has mentioned that there will be no change to existing programmes, rallies and road shows. This is an addition and Home Minister Amit Shah will launch it on 13 April. For the first time, both Modi and Shah will be camping in West Bengal together on the same day to bolster the party’s campaign.

Sources in the BJP said that Kolkata is the cultural capital of India and has always led the way in the advancement of literature, spirituality, music and cinema in India. Right from the age of the Bengali Renaissance, which started in Kolkata, the city has witnessed glorious changes that have uplifted the country as well. From social reforms such as abolition of the Sati Pratha, to the first steps towards women empowerment that legalised widow remarriage and the formation of the Indian National Army that fought for India’s independence, Kolkata has been the home ground for many significant movements in India’s history. However, due to the neglect by state governments of the past, the city and its people have been facing many issues on multiple fronts such as crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of economic growth and growing concerns around safety of women, among others.

Polling for the first four phases has concluded in West Bengal. The fifth and sixth phases of the ongoing elections will take place on 17 April and 22 April. Counting of votes will take place on 2 May.