PM Modi likely to hold twin rallies in Bengal on July 18, ahead of TMC’s Shahid Diwas mega rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit West Bengal on July 18 for a two-day trip, during which he may address two public rallies. BJP sources indicated that preparations are underway for events in Durgapur and Dumdum. On Saturday, BJP's central and state leaders visited both sites, including Nehru Stadium in Durgapur, though no official confirmation of the Prime Minister’s visit has been issued.

BJP leaders present during the Durgapur inspection included central leader Satish Dhond, West Bengal BJP General Secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Durgapur West MLA Laxman Chandra Ghorui, Bankura district BJP president, and district vice president Chandrasekhar Bandyopadhyay. When asked about the Prime Minister's visit, Chattopadhyay stated, “We are here for a party programme. The Prime Minister can visit any part of the country at any time. We have not received any information regarding his visit. If there is any, it will be announced officially.”

The inspection in Durgapur coincided with a similar visit to a ground in Dumdum by BJP leadership on the same day. The party is reportedly planning major programmes at both locations, raising speculation about Modi’s presence. The expected date of Modi’s visit comes just days before Trinamool Congress’s annual Shahid Diwas rally, scheduled for July 21.

Separately, BJP General Secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay also commented on a recent explosion in Katwa, East Burdwan. He alleged that under the present government, bomb-making incidents have increased across the state. Referring to recent events, he said, “In the last 15 years, Mamata Banerjee has turned bomb-making into the number one industry in Bengal.” He added that in Birbhum, a Trinamool district official alleged in a video that bombs were being made with police support to attack him.