Will return to Bengal for oath-taking ceremony of BJP govt, says Modi

PTI, KOLKATA, APRIL 27, 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal after the Assembly polls, asserting that he would return to the state for the oath-taking ceremony after results are announced on May 4.

Addressing a poll rally at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district on the final day of campaigning for the second and last phase of the Assembly elections, Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling TMC, accusing it of presiding over 'syndicate raj', political violence and economic decline.

"The mood that I have sensed in West Bengal, I can say that I will return during the oath-taking ceremony of the BJP government after May 4," the Prime Minister said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Invoking the historical significance of Barrackpore, the Prime Minister said the region had played a key role in India's first war of Independence in 1857 and was now preparing the ground for political change in West Bengal.

Calling the election crucial for the future of eastern India, the Prime Minister said West Bengal's progress was inseparable from India's rise and that the eastern region must regain its historical strength.

"In the past, when India was prosperous, it had three strong pillars -- Anga, Banga and Kalinga – today's Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. When these three pillars weakened, it dealt a blow to India's strength. The nation's rise is incomplete without the rise of the east," he said.

Drawing parallels with recent BJP gains in neighbouring states, Modi said after Bihar and Odisha, it was now West Bengal's turn for the "lotus to bloom". "Bihar and Odisha have bloomed the lotus, and now it's West Bengal's turn. The atmosphere I am seeing here makes it certain," he said.

Launching a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress government, Modi alleged that the party had reduced governance to intimidation, abuse and lies. "Trinamool's only strategy seems to be hurling abuses, issuing threats and spreading lies. They have targeted me, constitutional institutions and even the armed forces with derogatory remarks. Yet not one Trinamool leader has given an account of what they have done in 15 years," he said.

Claiming that industries were collapsing while criminal networks thrived, Modi said "jungle raj" has ushered in the state. "On one hand, mills that provided employment are shutting down, while on the other, factories producing crude bombs are flourishing. Goons are getting jobs and Trinamool's syndicate is expanding. This is their jungle law," he alleged.

He said the Trinamool had abandoned the very slogan on which it came to power. "In this election, one thing that concerns me is that Trinamool leaders do not even mention 'Maa, Maati, Maanush'. They did nothing for Maa, for the security of women; nothing for Maati, for farmers; and nothing for the youth," he said.

Targeting the ruling party over women's safety, Modi appealed directly to women voters, saying West Bengal had been made unsafe for daughters and justice was denied to victims. "When you go to vote, remember the faces of those thugs and hooligans who commit atrocities in the name of the Trinamool. Vote for the lotus so that daughters can step out at night without fear and those who faced injustice get justice," he said.

He also attacked the Trinamool over alleged demographic change and illegal infiltration. "The Trinamool had promised to turn Kolkata into London, but in 15 years, they have changed the identity of Kolkata. They have settled infiltrators in the city," he said.

Assuring people that Indian citizens would be protected, Modi said, "No Indian, irrespective of caste or religion, will face any problem, but infiltrators will not be spared."

Reaching out to the Matua community, he reiterated that a BJP government would ensure citizenship and documentation for all eligible refugee families. "I assure the Matua community that you will get citizenship and all necessary documents will be provided," he said.

Referring to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Modi said Bengal had laid the political foundation for the Jana Sangh and that the BJP had already fulfilled one of Mookerjee's major ideological commitments by abrogating Article 370. "Another of his aspirations was West Bengal's prosperity and a permanent solution to the refugee issue. The BJP government set to be formed here will work to fulfil that vision," he said.

Promising jobs as a central electoral plank, Modi said West Bengal had suffered migration for decades because of unemployment, with migrants leaving behind ageing parents. "People had to leave West Bengal to earn a living and the elderly were left behind. This is heartbreaking. Therefore, the BJP government's priority will be employment for West Bengal's youth," he said.

He announced five employment-focused measures, including transparent government recruitment, filling up of vacancies, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission benefits, a 125-day rural employment guarantee, expansion of the creative economy through content creator labs, and full benefits for street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme. "These are not just promises. This is Modi's guarantee," he said.

Invoking Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and the spirit of Vande Mataram, Modi said Bengal's cultural strength must become the foundation for revival. "Vande Mataram became the mantra for liberation from slavery. In the 21st century, it must become the mantra for the reconstruction of West Bengal. We will make 'sujalam sufalam' our policy, turn 'shasyashyamalam' into inspiration for employment and make 'malayaja sheetalam' the source of happiness and prosperity," he added.

In an audio message and open letter to the people of West Bengal on the final day of campaigning for the second and last phase of the state polls, Modi expressed gratitude to the residents and exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next government in the state, saying he would "celebrate the oath-taking ceremony together with the people".

"Despite addressing so many rallies amid the intense heat, I did not feel even the slightest fatigue during this election campaign in West Bengal. These rallies, these road shows... I felt as if I was on a pilgrimage," he said.

"Whenever I went among the devotees of Maa Kali... Perhaps Maa Kali herself kept filling me with continuous energy," the Prime Minister said.

Modi said he had the opportunity to participate in the "festival of West Bengal" and present the BJP's roadmap for the state's development and a brighter future for its youth to the people.

"Today, canvassing ends. My last rally of this election campaign has also just concluded. Through this letter, I want to express my gratitude to every family member of West Bengal and also share my emotions," he said.

The Prime Minister said the affection shown by people across age groups during rallies and road shows was the "real wealth" of his life.

Reiterating his confidence in the BJP's victory, the Prime Minister said, "Serving and securing West Bengal is my responsibility. Turning every challenge before West Bengal into an opportunity is also part of my destiny. I will not back down from this responsibility... And we will all celebrate the oath-taking ceremony of a BJP CM together. This is not just my personal belief. I have felt this confidence in you."

Pitching strongly for political change in the state, Modi said West Bengal's youth and women were eager for transformation. "West Bengal's youth want to move forward. Our daughters of West Bengal want an open sky. They want security," he said.

The Prime Minister said West Bengal's progress was essential for India's overall development and stressed that the rise of the eastern region was crucial for the country's future.

"My destiny and responsibility are to serve, secure and save West Bengal," he said.

Drawing parallels with recent BJP gains in neighbouring states, Modi said: "After Odisha and Bihar, the lotus will bloom in West Bengal too this time."

He alleged that the TMC had betrayed its slogan of 'Maa, Maati, Maanush' and had no vision for the state's development. Claiming that industries were shutting down while criminal networks flourished, the Prime Minister said: "On one hand, mills are closing down and on the other, crude bomb factories are coming up, employing goons, and the TMC's syndicate is expanding."

He urged voters to defeat what he called the "syndicate raj". The Prime Minister accused the ruling party of resorting to abuse and intimidation instead of governance.

"TMC's only strategy seems to be hurling abuses, issuing threats and spreading falsehoods. They have targeted me, constitutional institutions and even the armed forces with their derogatory remarks," he alleged.

Reaching out to Matuas, a refugee-origin community influential in several districts of south Bengal, Modi assured them that the BJP government would ensure citizenship and documentation for all eligible people. "I assure the Matua community that you will get citizenship and all necessary documents will be provided to you," he said.

He also struck a strong note on illegal infiltration, saying that genuine Indian citizens will be protected and illegal immigrants will face action.