Barrackpore, 27 April (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the massive roadshow‑cum‑rally held in north Kolkata yesterday as “a historic roadshow in Kolkata,” underscoring what he called a clear shift in West Bengal’s political mood towards the BJP.

Speaking at a packed Vijay Sankalp public meeting in Barrackpore today, the Prime Minister said the energy across the city and the state reveals that “West Bengal wants change. West Bengal wants BJP.” The event, part of the final stretch of the BJP’s campaign for the West Bengal assembly elections, drew tens of thousands of supporters and transformed the normally quiet suburb into a sea of saffron and lotus‑themed symbolism.

At the Barrackpore rally, PM Modi emphasized that the demand of people across West Bengal is not just for a new government, but for a new quality of governance.

Speaking at a huge rally in Barrackpore PM Modi said,“People across West Bengal want security, opportunities and honest governance, which TMC has completely failed to deliver.”

The Prime Minister repeated that the crowds along the roadshow route and the packed ground in Barrackpore are a “clear signal” that the electorate is ready for an alternative to the Trinamool Congress‑led administration.

During his address, he listed the three key concerns that he said are driving this mood:

Security: He spoke about rising crime, law‑and‑order challenges, and especially women’s safety, alleging that the TMC regime has failed to create a secure environment for citizens.

Opportunities: The Prime Minister pointed to unemployment, youth frustration and stalled development projects, blaming the state government for not capitalizing on the Centre’s welfare schemes and infrastructure push.

Honest governance: He accused the TMC of entrenched corruption, misuse of state machinery, and “broken promises,” contrasting it with the BJP’s promise of transparency and accountability.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi had led a grand roadshow stretching across a multi‑kilometer route in North Kolkata, moving atop a specially designed, lotus‑themed vehicle decorated with saffron streamers and the BJP’s signature slogans. Crowds lined the streets, poured out of balconies and windows, waved flags and placards, and captured the moment on mobile phones, creating what the BJP has billed as one of the largest political processions in recent Kolkata history.

Coming hot on the heels of back‑to‑back rallies in Bongaon and Arambagh, the Kolkata–Barrackpore leg of the PM’s tour has been framed by the party as the emotional and political high point of the final phase of campaigning. PM Modi told supporters in Barrackpore that this would be his last major election rally in West Bengal and promised to return for the BJP’s oath‑taking ceremony on May 4 if the party wins power, sharpening the message that the 2026 polls are not a routine election but a “Vijay Sankalp” (resolution to victory) for Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar