Kolkata, 22 April (H.S.) : After a series of cancellations over venue permission issues, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has finally received approval to hold a public rally in Kolkata ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The rally is scheduled to take place at Shahid Minar on April 25.

The Congress is contesting all 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal independently this time and has intensified its campaign with the involvement of senior national leaders. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has already campaigned in three constituencies going to polls in the first phase.

However, plans for his Kolkata rally had faced repeated obstacles, with permissions reportedly denied earlier for venues such as Rani Rashmoni Road and the Maidan, leading to last-minute cancellations. According to state Congress sources, approval has now been granted by the Army authorities for the Shahid Minar venue.

State Congress general secretary Sourav Ghosh said preparations for the rally have already begun and Rahul Gandhi is expected to address supporters there on the afternoon of April 25.

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is also scheduled to campaign in Bengal on April 24.

Party sources further said that Rahul Gandhi may also campaign in Serampore, where West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Shubhankar Sarkar is contesting the election. A rally or roadshow is being considered in support of his candidature, though the programme has not yet been finalised due to pending permissions.

Apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former MP as well as former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin have already campaigned in the state.

For the second phase of polling, the Congress is expected to focus its campaign on Kolkata and several South Bengal constituencies where the party believes it has stronger electoral prospects.

Political observers say the Congress leadership is concentrating resources and star campaigners on seats where it sees realistic chances of victory in the 294-member Assembly contest.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh