Amit Shah to visit Kolkata to perk up BJP's morale

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to be in Kolkata on October 24 to hold meetings with senior BJP functionaries. This will be his first trip to Bengal since the party's Lok Sabha seat tally in the State went down to 12 in the 2024 general election from 18 in 2019.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Shah will be the main speaker at a special session of the State BJP which will be held at the auditorium of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC). BJP sources indicated that, in addition to organisational discussions, Shah would hold a meeting of the party's extended state committee at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) where MPs, MLAs, and State and district leaders would be invited to be present.

Several BJP insiders have said they are looking forward to the visit as it comes at a time when widespread protests are on against the Mamata Banerjee Government over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.

"This is an important phase in Bengal politics. Amit-ji will give us guidance on how to go ahead," said a BJP source.