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Shah In Kolkata For 2-Day Visit; CFSL Inauguration, BJP Convention, 2026 Poll Push On Agenda
ABP Live News | June 1, 2025 2:11 AM CST

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Saturday night for a two-day visit to West Bengal, marking his first trip to the state following the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’—India’s military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The visit comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s whirlwind tour of North Bengal, signalling the BJP’s sustained focus on the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar and LoP Suvendu Adhikari, along with the party leaders and supporters received the Union Home Minister.

According to the official itinerary, Shah will inaugurate the new building of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Rajarhat on Sunday morning. The Home Minister is also scheduled to attend a party convention at the Netaji Indoor Stadium later in the day, where he is expected to interact with BJP leaders and functionaries.

“Leaving for Kolkata. Tomorrow, will inaugurate the new building of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, which will contribute immensely to strengthening the criminal justice system in West Bengal and Northeast India. In the afternoon will interact with the Karyakartas at Vijay Sankalp Karyakarta Sammelan in Kolkata. Looking forward to attending the programs,” Shah posted on X.

The Home Ministry also confirmed the event: “Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will inaugurate the new building of CFSL Kolkata, tomorrow at 10:45 AM,” HMO India posted.

Party insiders told PTI that the visit will focus on outlining the BJP’s strategic roadmap for the 2026 Assembly elections. There is also speculation that discussions may be held on appointing a new state BJP president, India Today reported. The current president, Sukanta Majumdar, is serving an extended term and was inducted into the Union Cabinet after the Modi government returned to power in 2024.

According to PTI, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said, “Amit Shah Ji will give us a roadmap for the next assembly polls in the state.”

Shah is also scheduled to visit the ancestral residence of Swami Vivekananda on Simla Street in north Kolkata before concluding his trip and returning to Delhi on Sunday evening.

Upon Shah’s arrival in Kolkata, enthusiastic BJP workers and supporters gathered at the airport despite late-night rain. BJP leader Agnimitra Paul told PTI, “It’s raining at 10:30 pm, but you can see the energy of our party workers. All of our party workers are here to welcome Union Home Minister Amit Shah. We are all charged up. These party workers are the voice of the people of West Bengal, and people of Bengal desperately need change… 2026 West Bengal is BJP’s.”

BJP Is Making 'Operation Bengal' Out Of 'Operation Sindoor': TMC

However, the visit has triggered a sharp political response from opposition parties. Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of politicising ‘Operation Sindoor’. Ghosh said, “BJP is trying to compare Operation Sindoor with something they’re calling ‘Operation Bengal.’ This is an insult to Bengal. Operation Sindoor was about the fight against terrorism, but by politicising it and creating this ‘Operation Bengal’ narrative, they are insulting the state. Bengal is deeply offended, and the BJP will get a fitting reply in the upcoming assembly elections.”

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also weighed in on the BJP’s intentions. “Whenever they (referring to BJP leaders) visit Bengal… their intention is very clear, they are preparing for assembly elections. That’s why PM Modi and Amit Shah are visiting Bengal, and this will continue to happen,” he told PTI.

In an interview with India Today, TMC minister Sashi Panja described BJP leaders as “seasonal visitors” attempting to influence Bengal’s voters without real commitment. She further claimed that the BJP’s “insensitivity towards women’s issues” would hinder their electoral prospects in the state.

Responding to the criticism, Sukanta Majumdar defended Shah’s visit, stating that it would lay out a “clear blueprint” for the 2026 polls. He termed the effort as “Operation Bengal”—a mission to “uphold the honour of Bengal’s women”. Majumdar emphasised that Shah’s meetings with mandal presidents and senior leaders would energise the party’s grassroots cadre, underlining the high stakes for all political parties as the state gears up for the next Assembly elections.

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