Ahead of the Assembly elections, the BJP has started worshipping Maa Kali and Durga in Bengal, replacing Jai Shri Ram. PM Modi is also starting his speeches with the name of Maa Kali. This strategy is indicative of changing politics.
Bengal: Preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections are in full swing in West Bengal, and the BJP appears to be making a major change in its strategy this time. While the slogan of Jai Shri Ram was prominently heard in election rallies and campaigns earlier, the BJP is now prioritizing the worship of Maa Kali and Maa Durga. This change is not limited to speeches or platforms, but is clearly reflected in the party's thinking and message.
PM Modi starts with the name of Maa Kali
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently started his speech with the names of Maa Kali and Maa Durga at a rally in Durgapur. This speech is being seen in political circles as a new strategy of the BJP. Maa Kali was also mentioned on the invitation letter for this meeting. During the meeting, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari presented PM Modi with an idol of Maa Durga.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister was garlanded with Rajnigandha instead of traditional marigolds or roses, which has a special place in Bengal's cultural worship system.
Picture of Maa Kali in the welcome ceremony of the new state president
A large picture of Maa Kali was put up at the welcome ceremony of BJP's new state president, Samik Bhattacharya, to which BJP leaders paid tribute by garlanding it. This event made it clear that the BJP is now engaged in an effort to connect itself with the cultural identity of Bengal.
Jai Shri Ram has no effect in Bengal
In the last few elections, the BJP had made the slogan of Jai Shri Ram its main strategy. In the 2021 assembly elections, the party entered the field with full hope but had to be satisfied with only 77 seats. Prior to this, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party had won 18 seats, which decreased to 12 in the recent elections. After these results, the BJP realized that it is not possible to win Bengal only with the help of aggressive Hindutva.
