BJP’s Ram Navami show of strength forces TMC response in poll-bound Bengal

Ram Navami morphed into ahighoctane political theatre in West Bengal, as BJP leaders, led by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, took out large, saffronclad rallies across pollingsensitive pockets, forcing the ruling Trinamool Congress torespond with its own processions and public celebrations.

- ‘SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

‘The most visible flashpoint had come in Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee's Assembly constituency, where Adhikari led a heavily guarded Ram Navami rally. Dozens of BJP workers, local leaders and allied groups marched with saffron flags and images of Lord Ram, chanting religious slogans all the way toa temple in south Kolkata.

Officials had described the event as a show of strength by the BJP in the very seat where Adhikari was set to take on the Chief Minister in the upcoming Assembly elections.

“The attacks on Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh were a wakeup call for West Bengal,” Adhikari told the crowd, blending faith with an explicit securityandidentity narrative aimed at consolidating the Hindu vote.

Parallel to Bhabanipur, BJPlinked organisations took out more than 60 smaller Ram Navami rallies and processions across Kolkata over the same period, from northeastern localities to central and southern neighbourhoods.