The Bharatiya Janata Party’s much-anticipated rally at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground has officially begun, with senior state leaders already addressing supporters as the crowd continues to grow. BJP leaders including Shuvendu Adhikari, Sukanta Majumdar, and Shamik Bhattacharya are present on the stage, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive shortly to address the gathering.
From early morning, BJP workers and supporters from across West Bengal started pouring into Kolkata to attend the rally. Many traveled by train, arriving at Howrah and Sealdah stations, from where groups marched toward the Brigade Parade Ground. The city witnessed a festive atmosphere around the event as thousands gathered for the political show of strength.
Speaking from the stage, several BJP leaders launched sharp attacks on the ruling Trinamool Congress government. Tapas Roy, in his speech, accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of allegedly discriminating against the majority community. He also emphasized that politics should not divide people along Bengali and non-Bengali lines.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul also criticized the state government, raising issues such as alleged irregularities in voter lists, the teacher recruitment controversy, and the law-and-order situation in West Bengal. She claimed that the government had failed to stand with victims while protecting the accused in several cases.
Union Minister Nisith Pramanik, addressing the gathering, focused on the concerns of North Bengal. He alleged that several promises made by the state government regarding development in the region remain unfulfilled and that communities such as Rajbanshis and tribal groups continue to face unresolved issues.
Security arrangements around the venue have been extensive ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. Nearly 3,000 police personnel have been deployed across the Brigade area. Authorities have also restricted entry with bags inside the rally ground, which caused some frustration among supporters who were unaware of the rule beforehand.
The BJP has made elaborate arrangements for the rally. Around 64,000 chairs have been installed at the venue along with 35 giant LED screens to ensure visibility for people standing far from the stage.
Food arrangements have also been made for supporters arriving from different districts. Several stalls near the venue are serving meals, including rice with vegetables and egg curry, while party volunteers have been seen distributing food to attendees.
Meanwhile, posters and large cut-outs of Prime Minister Modi have been placed across Kolkata ahead of the rally. However, a controversy erupted after a damaged cut-out of the Prime Minister was found near the Exide crossing, sparking political reactions.
As the crowd continues to swell at the historic Brigade Parade Ground, all eyes are now on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address, which is expected to be a key political message ahead of upcoming electoral battles in West Bengal.
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