Rahul Gandhi to Kick Off West Bengal Campaign with Mega Rally in Malda

Kolkata, April 2026 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to begin his campaign for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, with party leaders confirming his visit to Malda district on April 14. The move is seen as a strategic effort by the Congress to revive its traditional stronghold in the region and regain lost political ground.

Rahul Gandhi will address a major public rally at the Kalambagan ground in Chanchal, marking his return to Malda after a gap of nearly seven years. Once considered an unshakable base for the Congress, Malda has witnessed shifting political dynamics in recent years, prompting the party to intensify efforts to reconnect with voters.

Senior Congress leaders, along with local administration and police officials, visited the rally venue on Sunday to review security arrangements and logistical preparations. The inspection focused on ensuring smooth conduct of the event, including crowd management, infrastructure readiness, and safety measures. Party leaders are expecting a massive turnout, estimating that over one lakh people could attend the rally.

Rahul Gandhi shares a longstanding association with the influential Gani Khan Choudhury family in Malda, which has historically played a key role in the Congress’s presence in the district. His visit is expected to energise party workers and supporters, particularly in key constituencies such as Chanchal and Sujapur, where the party is looking to strengthen its electoral prospects.

During the rally, Rahul Gandhi will campaign in support of four Congress candidates: Mausam Noor from Malatipur, Asif Mehboob from Chanchal, Mostaq Alam from Harishchandrapur, and Mottakin Alam from Ratua. The event is being seen as a crucial opportunity for the Congress to demonstrate its organisational strength across multiple constituencies in the district.

Preparations for the rally are progressing rapidly. Ground-clearing work at Kalambagan is nearing completion, and a temporary helipad is being constructed nearby to facilitate Rahul Gandhi’s arrival. He is expected to land by helicopter and then travel by road to the rally venue.

Malda District Congress General Secretary Indra Narayan Majumdar expressed confidence in the event’s success, stating that Rahul Gandhi is well familiar with the region and has deliberately chosen Chanchal for his comeback rally. He added that there is significant enthusiasm among the public to attend the meeting and hear the Congress leader speak.

With this high-profile campaign launch, the Congress aims to reassert its relevance in West Bengal’s evolving political landscape and reconnect with its traditional voter base.

Team Maverick