PM likely to focus on N Bengal, infiltration at Brigade rally today
Times of India | 14 March 2026
Kolkata: PM Narendra Modi, scheduled to address a public rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds on Saturday, is likely to make a significant announcement related to security of the Siliguri Corridor, Bengal BJP sources said. Modi is also likely to touch upon infiltration, an issue he has repeatedly flagged during his campaigns in Bengal over the past few months.
But before Modi addresses the rally, he will inaugurate infrastructure development projects worth Rs 18,680 crore.
Security of the Siliguri Corridor, also called the "Chicken's Neck", was raised by Union home minister Amit Shah during his Kolkata visit in Jan.
The corridor — measuring 20-22km in width and 60km in length at its narrowest point — which connects the rest of India with its northeastern states, has been under the radar for being one of the high-stakes geopolitical stretches in the country.
Shah said the area belongs to India and no one would be allowed to threaten it or tamper with it. Barely a fortnight after that, Shah held a 3-day security tour in Bihar's Seemanchal — an area adjacent to the Siliguri Corridor.
While infiltration has been one of the focal points of BJP's narrative in Bengal over the past few years, the developments across the border after the election in Bangladesh and the surge of the Jamaat-e-Islami along the India-Bangladesh border have raised grave concerns.
Modi will inaugurate projects worth Rs 18,680 crore across sectors like road infrastructure, railways, port and shipping. While nearly a dozen road development projects, worth around Rs 16,990 crore, will be inaugurated, the PM will also lay the foundation stone for several shipping and port-related projects, flag off the Purulia-Anand Vihar Terminal Express and inaugurate six redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Station Scheme.
The Brigade rally, which marks the finale of BJP's 5,000-km Poriborton Yatra over a month, will also give a boost to Bengali asmita, state netas indicated. The stage has been themed around Dakshineswar Temple.
"During the rally, people asked us to ensure that they get to cast their votes this time. They also wanted EC and Centre to ensure that there is no malpractice during counting. Public outrage is very high against Trinamool," Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said.
Meanwhile, rumours went rife over probable defections from Trinamool. While Bengal BJP functionaries did not want to comment on any defection, the political future of an ex-TMC minister sparked debates.
State leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari said: "If BJP is voted to office, arrears towards dearness allowance of state employees will be paid within 45 days. There will be a minimum pay hike of Rs 20,000 for any govt employee."