Union Home Minister Amit Shah may visit Kolkata again for two days towards the end of the year, and the West Bengal BJP is preparing an unprecedented political spectacle to mark the occasion. Party sources say a massive bike rally, involving nearly 5,000 motorcycles, is being planned to accompany Shah’s convoy— something the BJP claims has never been attempted before in the state.
Although the final itinerary from the Union Home Ministry is yet to reach the state unit and no official announcement has been made, preliminary preparations are already underway. According to BJP and its youth wing sources, instructions have been issued to at least 10 organisational districts, including Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly. Each district has reportedly been assigned a target of mobilising a minimum of 500 bikes.
If the plan materialises, between 4,000 and 5,000 motorcycles are expected to travel both ahead of and behind the Home Minister’s convoy.
Party sources indicate that Shah is likely to arrive in Kolkata on the night of December 29. One proposal suggests that the bike rally could begin immediately upon his arrival, accompanying his convoy from the airport to New Town.
An alternative plan under consideration is to hold the rally on the morning of December 30. In that scenario, the convoy — along with the bike contingent — would travel from New Town to the BJP’s party office in Sector Five, Bidhannagar. The proposed route includes Haldiram More, VIP Road, Ultadanga, Hudco More and EM Bypass before reaching Sector Five.
However, party leaders admit that the final route and format may be modified based on security considerations. Given the logistical challenges of accommodating thousands of motorcycles in narrow lanes, the current plan is for the bike rally to halt at the entrance to the lane leading to the party office, while Shah’s convoy proceeds inside. The bikes would then continue along the main thoroughfare.
There is also an internal debate within the party over whether the rally should be held during the day or at night. Some leaders argue that a daytime rally would allow for greater public visibility and interaction. Others believe that a night-time procession — featuring thousands of motorcycle headlights along the airport–New Town corridor — would create a dramatic and “memorable” visual to close the year.
Shah has visited West Bengal more frequently than any other senior BJP leader over the past decade. However, a plan to surround his visit with such a large-scale bike rally is unprecedented.
Party sources say the rationale behind the move is that Shah’s upcoming visit does not include any public rallies, as his schedule is expected to be limited to organisational meetings. The proposed bike rally is therefore being viewed as a demonstration of organisational strength ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Despite the buzz within party ranks, senior BJP leaders have so far declined to comment officially, stating that all plans will depend on the final schedule and security clearances.
Also read: Udhayanidhi brands AIADMK as Amit Shah Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
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