Kolkata, 07 January (H.S.): Bharatiya Janata Party national president and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda is set to arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday night, where he will participate in two important meetings, one administrative and the other political. The information was confirmed by a member of the BJP’s state committee.

On Thursday morning, Nadda will attend and address a health-related seminar in the city. Later in the day, he will chair a crucial organisational meeting of the West Bengal BJP leadership. He is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Thursday evening after concluding the meeting.

According to party sources, West Bengal BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya had specially invited Nadda to attend and guide the party’s organisational meeting. The invitation was accepted by the BJP national president.

The organisational meeting will be held behind closed doors. During the meeting, Nadda is expected to share his views on the party’s poll strategy for the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in West Bengal later this year and outline the roadmap for future organisational activities.

It is significant that the visit comes close on the heels of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s three-day visit to Kolkata last month. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the state later this month for a two-day tour, during which he will address rallies in two districts. Political observers see Nadda’s visit, placed between the tours of Shah and Modi, as a clear indication that the BJP central leadership has given top priority to preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.

During his recent visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had offered key strategic advice to the state BJP leadership regarding election preparations and campaign planning. One of his most important instructions was to consistently counter the Trinamool Congress’ campaign, which, according to the BJP, is spreading fear among Matua community voters over the possible loss of voting rights due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process.

Shah also directed the state leadership to organise regular interaction programmes with Matua community voters to reassure them that their voting rights would remain protected. In addition, he advised BJP leaders to firmly counter the narrative being spread by the CPI(M)-led Left Front and a section of the state Congress, alleging a secret understanding between the top leadership of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.

Political analysts believe that the frequent visits by senior central leaders underline the BJP’s intent to enter the West Bengal Assembly election with an aggressive, well-coordinated and organisation-driven strategy.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh