Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake visits to Bihar and West Bengal. The Bihar leg of the trip will see the inauguration and laying of foundation stones for projects amounting to 13,000 crore rupees. In West Bengal, Modi will inaugurate projects worth 5,200 crore rupees, including three metro projects. The Prime Minister will also address public rallies in both states.
These projects are important for the growth of Bihar, West Bengal, and the enhancement of rail infrastructure, benefiting the entire country. Simultaneously, the timing of PM Modi’s visit is politically significant, coinciding with Rahul Gandhi’s voter rights campaign in Bihar. The presence of India alliance leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav of RJD and Dipankar Bhattacharya of CPI(ML), at Rahul Gandhi’s campaign, is indicative of a united front against the Nitish Kumar government and the BJP. In addition, the TMC and Mamata Banerjee have also displayed solidarity with the India alliance, opposing certain policies. Mamata Banerjee has raised concerns about the 130th constitutional amendment and has accused the government of discrimination against Bengalis. The political climate adds weight to PM Modi’s visit to Bengal.
This is the Prime Minister’s third visit to Bengal this year. During prior visits, he has been critical of TMC’s corruption and the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators. On Thursday, PM Modi used social media to highlight development initiatives in West Bengal, targeting TMC, and stating that the public’s discontent with TMC is growing, and they are looking to the BJP for progress. PM Modi is expected to use his public address at Dum Dum to criticize TMC and Mamata Banerjee.
The TMC holds a strong grip on the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency, with control over all seven assembly seats and the municipalities in the North 24 Parganas district. PM Modi’s meeting is intended to send a message to Mamata Banerjee, and also to strengthen the BJP’s organizational capabilities. In the past, BJP had a parliamentary presence in this area. The North 24 Parganas district’s proximity to the Bangladesh border, and the presence of a large number of refugees and alleged infiltrators, make it a sensitive area. The BJP has often targeted the TMC regarding the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators.
On August 22, PM Modi will visit Gaya, Bihar, where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects at Magadh University. The projects include a new bridge over the Ganga, a four-lane highway, and two Amrit Bharat trains. This visit is politically significant, being PM Modi’s first since Gaya was renamed. It’s also his first major event in the Magadh region before the upcoming elections.
The NDA’s performance in the Magadh region during the 2020 Bihar assembly elections was not strong. The NDA secured only six out of 26 seats across the five districts in the region. PM Modi’s visit to Gaya is seen as a response to Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit during his voter rights campaign. Political experts believe this visit is aimed at showcasing development and revitalizing NDA workers and leaders after the disappointing performance in the previous elections.