With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on the horizon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened his political pitch at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, framing the battle for Bengal around the issues of women’s safety, Dalit and Adivasi dignity, and alleged governance failures under the Trinamool Congress (TMC). In a speech that repeatedly invoked marginalised communities and the safety of women, Modi sought to position the BJP as the defender of Bengal’s “mothers, daughters and tribal” society.
At the heart of his attack was the recent visit of President Droupadi Murmu, which Modi said exposed the state government’s alleged disregard for Adivasi dignity. “The most persecuted communities in this state today are Dalits and Adivasis. The reality is no longer hidden from anyone,” the Prime Minister said.
Referring to Murmu’s two-day visit to Bengal, Modi alleged that the state administration failed to ensure proper arrangements for the President, who was scheduled to attend a Santhal programme. “The Trinamool Congress government crossed all limits a few days ago during the two-day visit of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, who herself comes from the Adivasi community,” he said.
According to Modi, the episode reflected deeper political prejudice. “This government not only insulted the President but left her to fend for herself by allowing mismanagement because TMC cannot digest an Adivasi in such a highest post,” he said. Stressing the symbolic weight of the incident, the Prime Minister added that it went beyond protocol. “It was not just an insult to the President or her dignity but to the entire Adivasi society and crores of women in the country. They have insulted the Constitution of India and Baba Saheb B. R. Ambedkar.”
Modi also sought to tap into concerns over women’s safety in the state, invoking high-profile crimes that have sparked nationwide outrage. “Bengal has seen bloodbath. The mothers and sisters of the state have borne the brunt,” he said, arguing that the situation had worsened despite hopes for change after the Left era.
Citing the rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and allegations of sexual violence in Sandeshkhali, Modi said such incidents had shaken public confidence. “Today in Bengal the accused are roaming freely. There are recurring occurrences of crime against women. No area in Bengal is safe for women,” he said.
The Prime Minister also linked governance failures with political appeasement, alleging that infiltration and demographic concerns were being ignored for electoral gains. “They came to power with the slogan Maa, Mati, Manush and today, Maa is crying, Maati is being sold and Bengali Manush are forced to leave Bengal,” he said.
He further accused the ruling party of opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to protect what he described as an infiltration-driven vote bank.
By repeatedly invoking women, Dalits and Adivasis in his address, Modi’s Brigade rally speech signalled a calibrated attempt by the BJP to expand its social coalition in Bengal ahead of the 2026 polls — turning issues of dignity, security and identity into the centrepiece of its campaign against the TMC government.
