The battle for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections is set to reach its peak as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to launch his official campaign from North Bengal. According to sources within the BJP, the Prime Minister is likely to address his first mega election rally in Siliguri on April 12. This move is seen as a strategic step to consolidate the party’s strong base in North Bengal before the first phase of polling scheduled for April 23.

North Bengal has consistently supported the BJP in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls as well as the 2021 Assembly elections. By starting the campaign from Siliguri, the Prime Minister aims to reassure the voters of the region and challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on its home turf. After the Siliguri event, PM Modi is expected to cover several districts in South Bengal, including industrial hubs like Asansol and a grand roadshow in Kolkata.

Political analysts believe that the PM’s focus will be on the “failures” of the state government, particularly highlighting issues such as corruption and internal security. With the Election Commission’s strict monitoring, the BJP is planning to utilize Modi’s popularity to tip the scales in its favor across the 294 constituencies. As the state gears up for the two-phase poll on April 23 and 29, PM Modi’s entry into the campaign trail is expected to significantly escalate the political temperature in West Bengal.