Singur (West Bengal):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought to counter the Trinamool Congress’s long-standing “outsider” narrative by underscoring his government’s initiatives aimed at honouring Bengal’s culture, language and legacy. Addressing a public rally in Singur ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Prime Minister highlighted the installation of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s statue near India Gate in New Delhi and the recognition of Bangla as a classical language.
“It was the BJP government which established Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s statue at the Kartavya Path in Delhi in front of India Gate. Bangla language and literature are very prominent, and Bangla was recognised as a classical language when you blessed me,” PM Modi said. He also pointed out that the BJP-led government’s efforts played a key role in Durga Puja being accorded the status of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Prime Minister’s remarks are being seen as a direct response to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party’s repeated portrayal of the BJP as an “outsider” force in the state. During the 2021 Assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee had successfully used the slogan to frame the contest as a battle between “Bengal’s daughter” and external forces, helping the TMC retain power with a decisive mandate.
By invoking icons like Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and emphasising national and global recognition of Bengal’s cultural traditions, PM Modi appeared keen to reinforce his party’s claim of respecting and celebrating the state’s identity. The BJP has often argued that its initiatives reflect genuine appreciation of Bengal’s heritage, countering allegations that it lacks roots in the state.
With the Assembly elections approaching, cultural symbolism and identity politics are once again expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political narrative in West Bengal, as both the BJP and the TMC sharpen their campaigns to win over voters.