BJP's Massive 'Parivartan Yatra' Campaign Kicks Off Across West Bengal
In a significant political move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched an extensive campaign across West Bengal, with six Union ministers and top party leaders spearheading the effort. The 'Parivartan Yatra', spanning approximately 5,000 kilometers, commenced on Sunday and is set to culminate in a major rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in late March at the historic Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata.
Leadership and Launch Details
The campaign features prominent figures including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. BJP national president Nitin Nabin flagged off the rally from Cooch Behar on Sunday, while former national president and Union Minister JP Nadda launched it from Krishnanagar. Simultaneously, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Annpurna Devi initiated rallies from Jhargram and Asansol.
On Monday, the campaign intensified with Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Devendra Fadnavis kicking off rallies from Raidighi in South 24 Parganas, Amta in Howrah, and Hasan in Birbhum respectively. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated at Sandeshkhali, and Nitin Nabin flagged off the Islampur rally.
Campaign Structure and Schedule
After a brief two-day hiatus for Dol Yatra celebrations, the campaign will resume on March 5. Over the following five days, nine rallies will traverse nearly 5,000 kilometers across the state, reaching approximately 250 assembly constituencies. Separate programs are planned for the remaining 44 constituencies to ensure comprehensive coverage.
In addition to the main yatras, the party has organized an extensive network of nearly 300 small meetings and 64 large gatherings to amplify their message and engage with voters at multiple levels.
Political Context and Statements
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya articulated the party's stance on Friday, stating, "The state government has become a living fossil now and the strong winds of change will topple the government this time. The state government has become synonymous with corruption, and Bengal has become a safe haven for militant outfits."
Bhattacharya further emphasized security concerns, noting, "There is an upsurge of the Jamaat E Islami in Bangladesh along the 2,200-kilometer long border of Bengal. While Rabindranath Tagore's statue is being broken in Bangladesh, his posters are being burnt in Bengal. The threat is palpable, and BJP's Parivartan Yatra will put an end to the effort to turn Bengal into Bangladesh."
He framed the upcoming election as "Trinamool versus the common man," adding, "People have set a binary, and the BJP is just a face to represent forces opposing Trinamool. The yatra will give a voice to the protests and aspirations of the people and unite them." Bhattacharya also reiterated his call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to visit the state to oversee the electoral process.
This comprehensive campaign underscores the BJP's strategic focus on West Bengal, leveraging high-profile leadership and extensive grassroots outreach to challenge the incumbent administration and address key issues of governance, security, and corruption.
