As PM Modi’s Malda rally date comes closer, BJP ups poll push in North Bengal
The Statesman | 7 January 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a major political rally in Malda on 17 January, BJP officials said on Tuesday. The Prime Minister is also expected to attend an official programme in Malda to lay foundation stones and inaugurate several central government projects.
Briefing the Media, Malda South BJP organisational president Ajoy Ganguly said the proposed political rally is likely to be held at Nityanandpur, near Sahapur. Preparations are underway to mobilise party leaders and supporters from booth to district levels across the Malda division, comprising Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts.
“As per instructions from higher authorities, preparatory work has already begun. Final arrangements will commence after receiving confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office on 7 January,” Mr Ganguly said.
He added that three venues have been shortlisted, with Nityanandpur emerging as the most suitable. Officials from the PMO are expected to finalise the venue shortly, as a separate stage will be required for the Prime Minister’s official programme. Departmental officials will also decide on the projects for which foundation stones will be laid and inaugurations conducted.
Mr Ganguly further said that there is speculation about Prime Minister Modi flagging off the Vande Bharat Sleeper train from Howrah to Guwahati from Malda, with the railway minister likely to be present. “However, nothing has been finalised yet,” he added.
Politically, the BJP has intensified preparations to organise a grand rally drawing participants from all three districts of the Malda division.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s state-wide outreach programme, Parivartan Sankalpo Sabha, continues across districts as the party gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections. Senior leaders, including MPs and MLAs, have been holding meetings at district and grassroots levels.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya is scheduled to address a major rally near Siliguri on 10 January, with party leaders and supporters from Siliguri and Jalpaiguri districts expected to attend.
In north Bengal, BJP MPs Manoj Tigga (Alipurduar), Dr Jayanta Roy (Jalpaiguri) and Raju Bista (Darjeeling) have been actively participating in organisational programmes across their respective constituencies and adjoining areas.
On Monday, Mr Bista addressed a public meeting and padyatra at Odlabari under the Mal Assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri district. Thousands of residents from Mal Bazar and nearby areas participated in the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Bista highlighted the Centre’s focus on transforming North Bengal into a key growth engine for the country. He said the central government has approved Rs 1,172 crore for the construction of a new bridge over the Teesta river, connecting Sevoke with Ellenbari, fulfilling a long-pending demand. Plans are also underway for an expressway linking Ellenbari, Odlabari, Mal Bazar and Alipurduar, he added.
On Tuesday, Mr Bista, who is also the party’s national spokesperson, attended the BJP Darjeeling district booth coordinator meeting at Raghukul Bhawan in Panchkelguri, Khaprail. Party workers from the Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong Assembly constituencies participated in the meeting, which focused on strengthening grassroots outreach and enhancing organisational preparedness ahead of upcoming political activities.