PM Modi’s Hooghly Visit Blends Spiritual Reflection with Political Push in Bengal

New Delhi, April 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spent time along the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata, combining a moment of spiritual reflection with a renewed political message on development and electoral momentum in West Bengal.

During his visit, the Prime Minister took a boat ride on the Hooghly River and shared glimpses of his experience on social media platform X. Emphasising the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the river, he highlighted its connection with the identity and ethos of the Bengali people.

“For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place. One can say that the Ganga flows through the soul of Bengal. Her divine waters carry the timeless spirit of an entire civilisation,” Modi wrote, underlining the emotional and historical importance of the river in the region.

The Prime Minister described his visit as a moment of gratitude towards Maa Ganga, noting that he spent some quiet time reflecting by the riverbank. The visit also included interactions with local communities, where Modi met boatmen and morning walkers. He praised their dedication and hard work, calling them an integral part of the state’s social fabric.

“Also had the opportunity to meet boatmen, whose hardworking nature is admirable, and morning walkers,” he said, highlighting the everyday resilience and spirit of the people he encountered.

Beyond the symbolic and cultural aspects, Modi used the occasion to reiterate his government’s commitment to the development of West Bengal. He stressed that the Centre remains focused on ensuring prosperity and growth for the state and its people.

“On the Hooghly, reiterated our commitment to work towards the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of the great Bengali people,” he added.

The visit comes at a crucial time as West Bengal is in the midst of its Assembly elections. The first phase of polling, held on Thursday across several districts in both northern and southern parts of the state, recorded an impressive voter turnout of 92.59 per cent — the highest ever for a first phase in the state’s electoral history.

The elections have emerged as a high-stakes contest between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. The campaign has been marked by sharp political exchanges, particularly over issues such as voter list revisions and governance.

Following the first phase, Modi has intensified his campaign efforts for the upcoming rounds of polling. Addressing a rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, he took a dig at the Trinamool Congress over its reaction to an earlier campaign moment involving the popular street snack Jhalmuri. “On May 4, the BJP will be victorious in West Bengal, and sweets and jhalmuri will be distributed. I ate the jhalmuri, but the heat was felt by the Trinamool Congress,” he remarked, drawing cheers from supporters.

The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, with counting of votes set to take place on May 4. As the campaign gathers pace, Modi’s visit to Kolkata reflects a blend of cultural outreach and political messaging, aimed at connecting with voters while reinforcing his party’s electoral ambitions in the state.