Bangalir Mone Modi: Decoding BJP’s Crowning Pitch for Lok Sabha Elections in Bengal

The BJP has hit upon a new campaigning slogan for Bengal which was seen widely in the vibrant roadshow led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Kolkata’s Shyambazar Five Point Crossing on Tuesday – ‘Bangalir Mone Modi’ or ‘Modi Is In the Heart of Bengalis’.

The slogan is seen as an effort on the part of the BJP to establish an emotional bond between PM Modi and Bengalis, countering the TMC’s campaign of painting the BJP and the Prime MInister as “outsiders” to Bengal. In the 2021 Assembly elections, too, Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee repeatedly referred to the BJP as “bahari (outsider) party”, while portraying herself as ‘Bangla Nijer Meyeke Chae’ (Bengal Wants Its Own Daughter).

Attempting to counter the TMC narrative, the BJP infused a lot of Bengali sentiments and symbols into PM Modi’s campaign in the state for Lok Sabha elections. The PM himself used more Bengali phrases in his speech than before and it seems to have struck a chord with the people, the party said.

“This time, Modi ji did many public meetings in Bengal and, in each one, we saw a huge number of Bengalis greeting him in different ways. We realised that Modi ji has got this space in the heart of Bangalis. That is why we came up with this slogan which is already a big hit. Modi is in people’s heart,” BJP state president Sukanto Majumdar told News18.

Political observers say the BJP has a stronger touch of ‘Bangaliana’ (culture of Bengalis) in its campaign this time. The new slogan is a major part of that outreach ahead of the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas, the areas more commonly associated with ‘Bangaliana’.

The PM’s roadshow on Tuesday in support of BJP candidate Tapas Roy started from Shyambazar Five Point Crossing and culminated at Simla Street, known for the ancestral residence of Swami Vivekananda.

Modi stood atop a decorated vehicle, resplendent in saffron hues and adorned with flowers, images of the PM and BJP’s election symbol, the lotus. As the convoy made its way through the bustling streets, Modi waved at the crowd, which gathered on both sides of the street. Women supporters, dressed in saffron saris, also participated in the colourful procession.

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