Fulfilling a key promise made during the campaign for the West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Kolkata this Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the state’s first BJP Chief Minister and Cabinet at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground. It was from this very venue on March 14 that the Prime Minister had launched the party’s campaign with a call for political change in the state, making his return for the oath-taking ceremony symbolically significant.
According to the official itinerary, the Prime Minister will depart from Palam Airport in New Delhi at around 8:05 am aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft and is expected to land at Kolkata Airport by 10:25 am. From there, he will immediately board a helicopter to reach the RCTC helipad before proceeding by road under tight security to the Brigade Parade Ground. The swearing-in ceremony, described by party leaders as a “mega event,” is scheduled between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. BJP sources say the Prime Minister’s presence at the ceremony is expected to energise party workers and mark a strong beginning for the new government.
Following the event, the Prime Minister is scheduled to leave the venue at approximately 12:35 pm and return to the airport via helicopter. He is expected to depart for Delhi at 3:40 pm the same day. Despite the brief duration of the visit, its political importance remains substantial, particularly in the backdrop of heightened tensions across the state after the declaration of the election results.
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In recent days, West Bengal’s political landscape has witnessed significant developments. The situation has been further charged by the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, as well as sharp political exchanges, including allegations over the electoral process raised by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav during his visit to the city on Thursday. Against this backdrop, political observers believe that the Prime Minister’s presence at the Brigade Parade Ground could mark a turning point in the state’s political trajectory.
Meanwhile, the city has been placed under an extensive security cover ahead of the high-profile visit. Law enforcement agencies, led by the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar, have intensified surveillance and deployed additional personnel across key locations to ensure smooth conduct of the event. This comes even as police continue to investigate recent incidents of violence in areas such as Barasat and Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas.
With preparations in full swing and anticipation building, the BJP leadership has described the occasion as a historic mandate delivered by the people of Bengal. As the Prime Minister arrives to witness the formation of the new government, Saturday’s ceremony is widely expected to become a landmark moment in the political history of Kolkata.
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