At a rally in Malda, West Bengal, on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched development, connectivity, and an end to ”politics of hatred” as key points of the BJP’s outreach in the state.
The PM addressed the rally after laying the foundations for several new development projects in Bengal and flagging off a new Vande Bharat train.
At the rally, Modi said that it was time for a real change in the state. "In every corner of Bengal, there is a government of good governance under the BJP. Now it's Bengal's turn for good governance. That's why, after the victory in the Bihar elections, I said that with the blessings of Ma Ganga, the river of development will now flow in Bengal as well, and the BJP will make this happen." he said.
#WATCH | Malda, West Bengal | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "In every corner of Bengal, there is a government of good governance under the BJP. Now it's Bengal's turn for good governance. That's why, after the victory in the Bihar elections, I said that with the blessings of… pic.twitter.com/xh74HqlIMB
— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026
The BJP on Friday secured a record victory in Maharashtra in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The PM said that the party being able to secure wins even in places which were considered impossible, meant that support was growing.
"In particular, the BJP has secured a record victory for the first time in Mumbai, in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), one of the world's largest municipal corporations, which is a significant development in Maharashtra politics. A few days ago, the BJP also elected its first mayor in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. This shows that even in places where winning elections was once considered impossible for the BJP, the party is now receiving unprecedented support," the PM said.
#WATCH | Malda, West Bengal | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "The results of the urban local body elections in Maharashtra were announced yesterday. The BJP has achieved a historic victory in these elections. In particular, the BJP has secured a record victory for the first… pic.twitter.com/ev9Aa73FLE
— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026
He slammed the Mamata Banerjee government and said that it “needs to be changed.”
Modi added that development will come to Bengal only after the Trinamool is defeated and that India’s Gen Z believes in the BJP’s development model.
He also assured that if the BJP gains support in the state, the government would take strict action against those who attacked a female journalist. On Friday, a Zee 24 Ghanta journalist was reportedly dragged to the road and assaulted at a protest site while reporting.
The Prime Minister made the comments just ahead of the upcoming polls in West Bengal, which are expected to be held in March-April of this year. The political activity in the state is at an all-time high, and the BJP has positioned itself as an alternative to the Trinamool-led government.
