BJP launches statewide ‘Paribartan Yatra’ in Bengal, PM Modi rally to conclude campaign

The West Bengal assembly elections entered a high-stakes phase today as political campaigns, administrative preparations, and voter roll scrutiny intensified across the state. The BJP launched its 5,000-km ‘Paribartan Yatra’ today, a month-long padayatra planned to traverse all assembly constituencies before culminating in a mega rally in Kolkata around March 15 . The campaign is designed to sharpen anti-incumbency sentiment against the TMC and translate grassroots outreach into visible mobilisation. Nine yatras, originating from Cooch Behar, Krishnanagar, Kulti, Garbeta, Raidighi, Islampur, Hasan, Sandeshkhali, and Amta, will cover every assembly segment during this period. The party aims to directly reach 1–1.5 crore voters, with West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya describing it as “the next phase of democratic correction in Bengal.”

TMC leaders, however, have criticised the campaign. Kunal Ghosh remarked, “What the BJP is calling the Paribartan Yatra is actually a farewell tour,” highlighting the party’s dismissal of BJP’s prospects in the state.

Meanwhile, Union minister Chirag Paswan confirmed that LJP (Ram Vilas) is preparing to contest in West Bengal and Assam. Party MP Rajesh Verma recently visited the states and will return after Holi to assess prospects, with the parliamentary committee set to decide on contesting.

Pre-election security measures have intensified, with Central Armed Police Forces conducting route marches in sensitive districts including Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, Jhargram, and Darjeeling, and significant deployments in North 24 Parganas to ensure law and order.

The elections are unfolding against the backdrop of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, which has deleted over 61.78 lakh names , reducing the state’s electorate to 7.04 crore . Nearly 60 lakh voters remain under adjudication , concentrated in Murshidabad, Malda, and North 24 Parganas, including minority-dominated areas and the Matua heartland, sparking political concerns over potential disenfranchisement.

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit West Bengal, particularly Kolkata, and speak at a large BJP rally around March 15 , marking the culmination of the Paribartan Yatra and intensifying the election campaign.

As parties ramp up campaigns and the administration tightens security, West Bengal is entering a decisive pre-election phase where voter mobilisation, electoral scrutiny, and political strategy will shape the outcome of the assembly polls.