With a year left for Assembly Elections in West Bengal, the BJP is said to be making big moves in the state, aided by the RSS. Speculations are rife that the BJP leadership could use the RSS network at the grassroots level to counter Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in the state.
The recently-concluded RSS meet and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's 10-day long stay in the state hints that the RSS is paying special attention to the state, as evidenced by the sudden growth spurt of the organisation in the state.
A total of 3,500 RSS branches have been formed in the state in three parts of the state - north, south and central -- over the last 13 years when Mamata Banerjee was in power. In the last year, the number of Sangh branches in this state has increased by 583 across Uttar Banga Pranta, Madhya Banga Pranta, and Dakhin Banga Pranta,
In Uttar Banga Pranta, the total number of branches increased from 1,041 in 2024 to 1,153 by 2025. In Madhya Banga Pranta, the count was 1,320 in March 2023 and 1,823 by 2025. In Dakhin Banga Pranta, the numbers rose from 1,206 in 2023 to 1,564 in 2025, according to News 18.
There is also a considerable increase in the number of new schools of the Sangh. At present, 336 schools are being run by the RSS where over 88,000 students have enrolled. In South Bengal, the name of the managing organisation is Vivekananda Vidya Parishad while it is Vidya Bharati Uttar Bengal in North Bengal.
"Sangh wants to unite the entire Hindu society. Because the society responsible for this country is the Hindu society."- RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat 🔥
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) February 16, 2025
In short- Batenge Toh Katenge & Ek Hai Toh HI Safe Hai.
After Haryana, Maharashtra & Delhi.. RSS gearing up in Bengal.🔥 pic.twitter.com/7nzPYFVNTV
The state unit of BJP believes the increase in Shakha numbers will have political implications, considering that many feel the party lacks cohesion in the state due to intra-party fights and organisational deficiencies. The top RSS leadership too feel that the BJP alone cannot handle such a sensitive state and hence take the mantle of consolidating Hindu votes via trained 'swayamsevaks'.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP couldn't perform as expected with its run limited to 12 seats; six less than in 2019. One of the reasons cited for the BJP’s below-par show in the 2024 general elections was the lack of coordination between the RSS and BJP, many in the RSS believe.
However, the silver lining is that there was a 5% swing of vote share in favour of the party, which obviously would be Hindu votes. Consolidating and tapping into Hindu votes can dramatically alter the seat numbers in its favour at the cost of TMC, according to local media reports.
They could also highlight the infiltration of Muslims and Rohingyas into West Bengal and the government's alleged apathy in containing it. The alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh post the Sheikh Hasina government's fall and the BJP's celebration of Hindu festivals could do a lot in bringing Hindu votes closer, many feel.
