Kolkata, 19 December (H.S.) :Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit West Bengal on Saturday, during which he will attend a government programme related to handloom craftsmanship in Nadia district and later interact with members of the Matua community. West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president Samik Bhattacharya said on Friday that the Prime Minister will address a public rally at Netaji Park in Taherpur, under the Ranaghat subdivision, at around 10 am.
Speaking at a press conference, Bhattacharya said the Prime Minister would directly engage with people and address their concerns, particularly at a time when apprehensions have surfaced over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list. He added that the BJP could assure people, especially those from the Namasudra community, that no refugee’s name would be deleted from the voters’ list.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes amid growing anxiety within the Matua community over the voter list revision process. The community has a significant presence in Nadia and adjoining districts and is considered politically crucial. Ranaghat is among the largest Matua-dominated regions in the state.
According to party sources, the visit was planned following a closed-door meeting in New Delhi between the Prime Minister and BJP Members of Parliament from West Bengal. During the meeting, MPs apprised the Prime Minister of the fear and mistrust prevailing among the Matua community. In response, Modi assured them that he would address the issue directly at the Ranaghat rally.
Sources said that failure to address the community’s concerns in time could pose serious electoral challenges for the party in these areas ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The Prime Minister reportedly made it clear during the meeting that he would speak publicly on the issue.
It is learnt that the Prime Minister was already aware of the unease among Bengali Hindus regarding the SIR exercise and had been considering a public programme in a Matua-dominated area even before the meeting with MPs. Those present at the meeting said Modi also expressed dissatisfaction over what he perceived as weak communication by the state BJP leadership on the issue, as well as on the dissemination of information about central government welfare schemes.
The Prime Minister reportedly instructed MPs and party leaders to strengthen outreach at the grassroots and through digital platforms, conduct door-to-door campaigns to explain the voter revision process, and enhance messaging on social media.
Earlier this week, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, had also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP and the Election Commission of creating an atmosphere of fear among voters. The Trinamool Congress has claimed that pressure related to the revision process has led to several suicides, including cases involving booth-level officers, and has stepped up its attack on the BJP over the issue.
Against this backdrop, BJP sources said the Prime Minister has asked the state leadership to more strongly highlight the benefits of the Special Intensive Revision while simultaneously intensifying publicity for central government schemes. He also reportedly said that alleged obstacles created by the state government have prevented benefits from reaching the intended beneficiaries, making it essential to strengthen the organisation at the booth level.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
