PM Modi likely in north Bengal next week as BJP goes all-in with ‘200-plus’ push
The Statesman | 24 March 2026
With West Bengal turning into a high-stakes battleground, the BJP is stepping up its campaign as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit north Bengal next week.
News agency UNI mentioned party sources as saying that the visit is likely around April 7 or 8, and could see a roadshow in Siliguri along with a public rally. The party is also planning a few more events in the region as it looks to step up its campaign.
North Bengal is a key focus area for the BJP, and groundwork for the visit has already begun.
Senior leaders have been actively working on the ground. BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav recently held meetings in Siliguri with local leaders to finalise logistics and strategy.
At the same time, the party is also looking to tighten its organisational grip. BJP president Nitin Nabin is expected to visit the state later this week, with a focus on internal meetings across key zones.
The BJP has set an ambitious target of crossing 200 seats in the Assembly polls, a number its top leadership has repeatedly pushed in recent weeks.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier flagged the goal while launching the ‘Parivartan Yatra’, calling for a two-thirds majority in the state.
The party’s strategy includes aggressive campaigning, organisational expansion and candidate selection aimed at energising workers on the ground.
The Trinamool Congress has dismissed the BJP’s target, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee setting a counter goal of 226 seats.
The contest is expected to intensify further, especially with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari challenging Banerjee in Bhabanipur, apart from contesting from his stronghold in Nandigram.