Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kolkata on Thursday evening ahead of his scheduled appearances at three Lok Sabha election rallies in West Bengal on Friday.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi proceeded directly to the Raj Bhavan around 10:20 pm, where he was greeted by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. He stayed overnight at the Governor's residence.
PM Modi's visit to Kolkata marks a significant campaign effort in the state, where the electoral battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is intensifying.
Over the past two weeks, PM Modi has conducted several election rallies across various constituencies in West Bengal, including Malda, Arambagh, Krishnanagar, and Barasat.
On Friday, PM Modi is scheduled to address public meetings in the Krishnanagar, Purba Bardhaman, and Bolpur Lok Sabha constituencies.
In anticipation of his visit, Kolkata's traffic police have implemented restrictions on vehicle movement and parking in several areas of the city.
Goods vehicles are permitted entry only during specific hours, while other vehicles may face diversions or restrictions aligned with PM Modi's rally schedule.
Governor CV Ananda Bose curtailed his personal visit to his home state, Kerala, and returned to Kolkata in light of PM Modi's visit.
The heightened political activity underscores the significance of West Bengal in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with both the BJP and the TMC engaged in a fierce contest for dominance.
During his recent rally in Malda, PM Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government of aiding Bangladeshi infiltrators in settling in the state, alleging encroachment on Indian land and property.
In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee characterised the BJP, Congress, and Left parties as colluding against the TMC's rule in West Bengal.
She labelled the Congress and Left as the BJP's allies, asserting that the three parties were collectively challenging the TMC's stronghold.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC secured 22 seats, while the BJP clinched 18 seats, making significant inroads in the state's political landscape.
The Congress party won two seats - Berhampur and Malda Dakshin. The ongoing election campaign underscores the high stakes involved in West Bengal, where political dynamics are evolving amidst intense competition and strategic manoeuvring.
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