PM Modi’s first Bengal rally after SIR draft rolls to be held in Nadia district
Ranaghat’s proximity to the Matua belt has long made it a strategic site for the party. This is also the PM's third visit to Bengal in 5 months, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections
Written by Tanusree BoseDecember 17, 2025 01:47 PM IST
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a public rally at Taherpur in West Bengal’s Nadia district on December 20, in his third visit to the state in five months, as the BJP ramps up preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections.
The rally is expected to focus on the Matua community in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts.
The visit comes days after the publication of draft electoral rolls and amid unease among sections of the community following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process that began in November.
According to BJP sources, the Prime Minister will land at a helipad near Taherpur around 10:30 am and will also attend government programmes during the day.
This will be Modi’s third trip to Bengal since August — when he addressed public meetings — followed by a September visit to inaugurate a defence-related event. Party functionaries said Taherpur was chosen after an earlier rally planned in Ranaghat had to be cancelled due to adverse weather.
“The PM selected Ranaghat, Nadia, for its historical and cultural significance. His visit is expected to draw massive public participation,” said a senior BJP leader.
Party leaders said Modi will highlight Central government initiatives, infrastructure projects, and the “roadmap” for Bengal, at a time when the SIR exercise is underway.
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Ranaghat’s proximity to the Matua belt has long made it a strategic site for the party. The BJP has sought to consolidate support among the community, particularly in the context of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and claims Nadia and Bongaon have recorded the highest number of CAA applications in Bengal.
“There were campaigns during the SIR process, but there is no reason for the community to feel alarmed,” a senior leader said, dismissing allegations that the revision exercise targeted Matuas.
Preparations were reviewed on Friday at a meeting in Taherpur attended by Bengal in-charge Sunil Bansal, senior leader Amitabh Chakraborty, Ranaghat MP Jagannath Sarkar, and MLAs from the Nadia South organisational district.
The rally comes at a politically sensitive moment, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticising the SIR process as “hasty”. The Trinamool Congress has alleged irregularities, while sections of the Matua community have termed the drive “anti-Matua”.
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With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, BJP leaders said the rally aims to energise party workers and regain ground in the region.
Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.
Experience
Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness.
Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances.
Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including:
State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies.
Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues.
Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More
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