‘Bengal campaign a spiritual journey’: PM Modi at last rally ahead of 2nd phase voting

‘Bengal campaign a spiritual journey’: PM Modi at last rally ahead of 2nd phase votingIn 2021, the BJP won 59 of the 152 seats across 16 districts in the first phase but only 18 of the 142 seats up for grabs in the second phase.Published on: Apr 28, 2026 6:40 AM ISTBy Tanmay ChatterjeeShare viaCopy link Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he underwent a “spiritual experience” while campaigning in West Bengal for more than a month for the two--phase assembly elections and described his roadshows and rallies as a “pilgrimage.”PM Modi said he was confident about victory in West Bengal. (ANI)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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the next government, saying he will “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.Separately, Union home minister Amit Shah attended two roadshows before offering prayers at Gangasagar island in South 24 Parganas district.“Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry about Didi’s (Mamata Banerjee’s) goons. The Election Commission has deployed CAPF at every nook and corner, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power after the elections, central forces will remain here for 60 more days,” he said.Also read: Modi’s two-day visit to Varanasi begins todayIn 2021, the BJP won 59 of the 152 seats across 16 districts in the first phase but only 18 of the 142 seats up for grabs in the second phase. The second phase is widely seen as the deciding factor in the West Bengal polls because Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress controls these seven districts.“To prepare for the Pran Pratistha (consecration) ceremony at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January 2024, I undertook an 11-day spiritual journey and visited shrines and temples across India. In this election, I underwent the same feeling. It felt like a visit to a temple,” Modi said at his last BJP rally in North 24 Parganas’ Barrackpore, hours before campaigning ended.The PM said he was confident about victory. “It is my responsibility to save Bengal from a huge challenge. This is a part of my destiny. I will not step back,” he said. “In 1857, Barrackpore witnessed the first struggle for India’s freedom. Today, the slogan ‘Paltano Dorkar’ (change is necessary) is resonating with the people,” Modi said, referring to the first war of Indian independence. “This is my last rally. The mood I have seen among Bengal’s people gives me a strong belief that I have to return to attend the oath-taking ceremony of a BJP government after May 4,” he added.“This is an election to change the fate of the entire east and north-east. In the past, India had three pillars: Anga (Bihar), Banga (Bengal) and Kalinga (Odisha). Whenever they became weak, India suffered. Today, as India marches towards development, it is necessary for Anga, Banga and Kalinga to be strong. It is not possible unless the sun shines on the entire east,” said Modi.“In 2013, even before…

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