Modi Addresses Bengal Rally Virtually After Weather Disrupts Landing, Launches Sharp Attack on Trinamool Congress
Poor visibility forces PM’s helicopter to return to Kolkata; rally in Nadia district turns into key political message ahead of 2026 Assembly polls. Prime Minister...
Poor visibility forces PM’s helicopter to return to Kolkata; rally in Nadia district turns into key political message ahead of 2026 Assembly polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large public meeting in Taherpur, West Bengal, via videoconference on Saturday after adverse weather conditions prevented his helicopter from landing near the venue. Low visibility over the Taherpur helipad in Ranaghat, Nadia district, forced the aircraft to abort its landing attempt and return to Kolkata airport, officials confirmed.
Opening his address, the Prime Minister apologised to the crowd for not being able to attend the event in person, citing safety concerns due to poor weather. Despite the disruption, the rally—organised as part of the BJP’s outreach in poll-bound West Bengal—went ahead with Modi delivering his speech remotely.
Weather Disruption and Official Response
According to officials familiar with the arrangements, the Prime Minister’s helicopter hovered briefly over the temporary helipad before making a U-turn because visibility did not meet aviation safety norms. Security agencies opted not to risk a landing, following standard operating procedures for VVIP travel.
After concluding the virtual address, the Prime Minister was scheduled to travel to Guwahati later in the day for a two-day visit to Assam, where he is expected to attend multiple official programmes, including the inauguration of the new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
Political Pitch Ahead of 2026 Assembly Elections
The Taherpur rally carried strong political messaging, with West Bengal set to face Assembly elections in 2026. Modi launched a direct attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing the state government of misgovernance and stalled development.
He alleged that West Bengal was lagging behind neighbouring states governed by the BJP, particularly Tripura, which he said had seen rapid progress after decades of Left rule. According to the Prime Minister, the change in government in Tripura demonstrated what he described as the benefits of a “double-engine government” aligned with the Centre.
Allegations Against TMC Governance
During his address, Modi repeatedly described the current situation in West Bengal as a “maha jungle raj”, alleging that corruption, nepotism, and appeasement politics had become systemic under the TMC administration. He urged voters to give the BJP an opportunity to govern the state, arguing that alignment with the Centre would accelerate infrastructure development, welfare delivery, and economic growth.
The Prime Minister also accused the Trinamool Congress of opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal for political reasons, alleging that resistance to the exercise was aimed at shielding illegal voters from scrutiny. The TMC has previously rejected such claims, maintaining that it supports fair electoral processes while opposing what it calls selective or exclusionary verification.
Cultural References and National Narrative
Modi also invoked Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the author of Vande Mataram, referring to him as “Rishi Bankim Babu” and noting that the country is marking 150 years of the national song. His remarks came in the backdrop of recent parliamentary debates around Vande Mataram and its historical role in India’s freedom movement.
Reactions and Broader Context
Political observers note that the rally, despite being virtual, fits into the BJP’s broader strategy to sharpen its narrative in West Bengal well ahead of the 2026 elections. While the party continues to highlight central government schemes and infrastructure projects, the TMC has countered by accusing the BJP of politicising governance and undermining federal principles.
The Election Commission and state authorities have not linked the rally to any administrative developments, reiterating that electoral processes—including voter roll revisions—are governed by established legal frameworks.
What Lies Ahead
With the Prime Minister continuing his eastern India outreach and the BJP intensifying its campaign in West Bengal, political activity in the state is expected to gather pace over the coming months. Saturday’s weather-disrupted rally underscores how campaign momentum is being maintained through digital means, even as the political contest in Bengal grows increasingly sharp.