The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal is set to launch a large-scale 'Parivartan Yatra' (March for Change) starting Sunday, March 1, 2026, as part of its intensified campaign ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The yatra, described as one of the party's most extensive mobilisation efforts in the state, will unfold simultaneously across all nine organisational divisions of West Bengal. It is expected to cover nearly 5,000 kilometres, targeting outreach to 1 to 1.5 crore voters through a combination of mega rallies, smaller meetings, and direct public engagement. The initiative aims to highlight alleged administrative failures of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and build momentum for political change.
Senior BJP leaders will play prominent roles in flagging off and addressing the yatras. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's participation, originally planned for March 1 in Raidighi, South 24 Parganas, has been rescheduled to March 2 due to a prior commitment in Mumbai. Other key figures include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, and state leaders such as Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, State President Samik Bhattacharya, and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar. The campaign will feature nearly 63 mega rallies and over 250 smaller ones, with programmes planned across most of the 294 Assembly constituencies.
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The yatra coincides with recent developments, including the release of a theme song and booklet on February 28, 2026, and conditional permission granted by the Calcutta High Court for rallies on March 1-2. It is positioned as both a mass-contact exercise and an organisational test to strengthen grassroots efforts following the party's performance in previous elections. The campaign includes a pause for Dol Yatra before resuming, and it is expected to culminate in a major rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in late March, possibly at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground.
West Bengal's Assembly elections are anticipated in April-May 2026, with the current term ending on May 7. The BJP views the 'Parivartan Yatra' as a potential game-changer to challenge TMC dominance and revive cadre morale amid ongoing political polarisation in the state. Authorities and party workers are preparing for widespread participation, with the yatra seen as a key step in shaping the electoral narrative.
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