Determined to secure a breakthrough in Bengal, the BJP has intensified its campaign strategy for the 2026 Assembly elections, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah taking direct charge on the ground. Signalling the party’s high stakes in the state, Shah has decided to remain in West Bengal until April 27, the final day of campaigning for the second phase, rather than returning to Delhi.
According to party sources, Shah will spend the days in the state, barring a short three-day break for a special parliamentary session. During this period, he is not only leading rallies and roadshows but also closely supervising strategic planning and organisational coordination.
Having already completed his outreach in North Bengal, Shah’s focus has now shifted entirely to the remaining 142 Assembly constituencies, particularly in South Bengal. The emphasis is on strengthening the BJP’s grassroots presence and consolidating support in regions where the party seeks to expand its influence.
Since his return from Delhi, Shah has been actively touring districts across the state. However, insiders suggest that his upcoming engagements will be concentrated largely in South Bengal, where electoral battles are expected to be more intense.
Beyond public campaigning, Shah has been actively involved in behind-the-scenes organisational work. Late Tuesday night in Kolkata, he chaired a closed-door meeting with party workers and Pravasi functionaries representing 13 districts across five organisational divisions. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, focused on sharpening strategies for key constituencies in South Bengal.
During the session, Shah reportedly delivered a strong message on the need for greater mobilisation at the grassroots level, stressing the importance of booth-level management. Specific responsibilities were assigned to Pravasi leaders to ensure smoother coordination and avoid lapses in execution during polling.
The momentum continued into Wednesday morning, with Shah holding one-on-one meetings with candidates from multiple constituencies. These discussions revolved around constituency-specific challenges and possible counter-strategies to tackle the ruling TMC.
Political observers view Shah’s extended stay in Bengal as a significant development, noting that it is uncommon for a Union Home Minister to camp in a single state for such a prolonged period during an election. The move underscores the BJP’s determination to make deeper inroads into the state.
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