BJP names 40 star campaigners for Bengal, including PM Modi, 7 CMs & Bollywood celebs

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially released its list of 40 star campaigners for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, signaling an all-out offensive against the ruling Trinamool Congress. Naturally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah lead the charge, both having already initiated their trail in the state. The list is heavily weighted with central leadership, featuring prominent Union Ministers such as Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, alongside party president J.P. Nadda.

A significant highlight of this roster is the inclusion of Chief Ministers from seven BJP-ruled states. Firebrand leaders like Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh) and Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam) are expected to draw massive crowds, joined by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Devendra Fadnavis, and Mohan Charan Majhi. The inclusion of these high-profile national figures has drawn criticism from political rivals, who suggest that the reliance on "outsiders" reflects a lack of strong, face-value leadership within the Bengal BJP unit itself.

Beyond the political heavyweights, the saffron camp is leaning on "star power" to influence voters. Bollywood veterans Hema Malini and Mithun Chakraborty, along with actress-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut and Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari, are set to hit the campaign trail. Sports legend Leander Paes also features on the list, aimed at capturing the youth and urban demographic. Local faces like Suvendu Adhikari, Sukanta Majumdar, and Shantanu Thakur represent the state's organizational presence amidst the sea of national names.