Kolkata, Aug 12: J.P. Nadda, the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is set to make a significant visit to West Bengal, engaging in a series of meetings and programmes over the weekend. The purpose of this visit is to assess the strength of the party’s organization at various levels and to evaluate the prevailing situation in anticipation of the upcoming general elections next year.
Nadda’s itinerary includes the Panchayati Raj Sammelan, which he will conduct in Howrah on Saturday. Additionally, he will pay a visit to the residence of renowned novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and meet with the party’s victorious candidates from the panchayat elections. He is also expected to interact with victims of poll-related violence at the Science City Auditorium in Kolkata.
A senior BJP office-bearer stated that Nadda is scheduled to convene with the core group of the state BJP leadership at a hotel in New Town on Saturday evening.
The planned programs for August 12, 2023, are as follows:
- Reservation at Hotel Westin, Kolkata until 8:30 AM.
- Departure by car for Hotel Sonar Bangla, Naopala, Bagnan, Howrah, at 8:30 AM.
- Arrival at Hotel Sonar Bangla for Panchayati Raj Sammelan venue by 10:15 AM.
- Attend the Inaugural Session of Panchayati Raj Sammelan from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Lunch break from 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM.
- Departure by car for Panitras, Deulti, Bagnan, and Howrah, at 1:00 PM.
- Participation in the ‘Amar Mati, Aamar Desh’ program and ‘Beer Bandan, Basudha Bandan’ at 1:10 PM.
- Departure for Science City Auditorium, Kolkata, at 1:40 PM.
- Arrival at Science City Auditorium by 3:00 PM.
- Meeting with Panchayat Election winning & contesting candidates and victims of poll violence from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
- Departure for Hotel Westin, Kolkata, at 5:00 PM.
- Arrival at Hotel Westin by 5:30 PM.
- Meeting with the Core group of the state BJP at Hotel Westin from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
- Reserved & Night Stay at Hotel Westin, Kolkata.
The schedule for August 13, 2023, includes:
- Reservation at Hotel Westin, Kolkata, until 9:00 AM.
- Departure for Dakshineswar by car at 9:00 AM.
- Arrival at Dakshineswar Temple by 9:30 AM.
- Puja & Darshan at Dakshineswar Temple from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
- Departure for Hotel Westin, Kolkata, by 10:00 AM.
- Meeting with MPs, MLAs & Zila Parishad Members from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
- Departure for Saltlake State Party Office, Kolkata, at 11:30 AM.
- Meeting with State Office Bearers, Convenor of State Cell & Departments from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
- Lunch at Saltlake State Party Office from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
- Departure for Hotel Sonar Bangla, Naopala, Bagnan, Howrah, at 2:00 PM.
- Arrival at Hotel Sonar Bangla for Panchayati Raj Sammelan venue by 3:30 PM.
- Attend the Samarop Session of Panchayati Raj Sammelan from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
- Tea break from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
- Departure for Kolkata Airport by car at 5:30 PM.
- Arrival at Kolkata Airport and Depart for New Delhi by 7:00 PM.
On Sunday, Nadda will offer prayers at the Dakshineswar Kali temple before meeting the party’s MPs, MLAs, and Zilla parishad members from Bengal. Subsequently, he will engage with state BJP office-bearers and handlers of various cells and frontal organizations in Salt Lake.
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This series of meetings with the state leadership holds immense significance as it aims to formulate a strategic approach for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state. The BJP’s target of securing 35 out of 42 seats in Bengal has been set by Amit Shah, the Home Minister. The state’s organizational strength remains a challenge for the party, and Nadda’s visit is expected to provide guidance and direction to overcome this challenge.
It is noteworthy that organizing the Panchayati Raj Sammelan presented a unique challenge for the Bengal unit of the BJP. The party was unable to participate due to its failure to secure any zilla parishad seats in the recent rural polls. Despite this, Nadda’s visit is expected to bring valuable insights and advice to the party as it continues to strive for growth and success in West Bengal politics.
