Singur, West Bengal, January 18, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed a public rally in Singur, a town historically associated with political agitation in West Bengal, to emphasise his appreciation for the state’s language, culture, and heritage. Speaking to a large crowd, the Prime Minister highlighted steps taken by his government to recognise and honour Bengal’s contributions to Indian culture, in what analysts view as a strategic effort to counter the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) ‘outsider’ narrative ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

PM Modi drew attention to the installation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s statue at Kartavya Path in Delhi, positioned prominently in front of India Gate, noting it as a symbol of respect for Bengal’s historic contribution to India’s freedom struggle. He further underscored the recognition of Bangla as a classical language, a move aimed at giving cultural legitimacy to the linguistic and literary heritage of the state. “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 is very prominent, and Bangla was recognised as a classical language when you blessed me,” he said. He also reminded the audience of the UNESCO cultural heritage recognition of Durga Puja, crediting the BJP-led central government’s efforts in this achievement.

This cultural emphasis is widely interpreted as an attempt to neutralise Mamata Banerjee’s ‘outsider’ tag, which the TMC had successfully wielded in the 2021 assembly elections. During that campaign, Banerjee had framed the contest as a battle between “them” – referring to the BJP leadership and the Prime Minister – and “Bengal’s daughter,” positioning herself as a protector of local identity and interests. By highlighting the central government’s initiatives that recognise Bengal’s culture and history, PM Modi sought to assert that the BJP respects and honours the state’s heritage, countering the notion that it is an outsider political force.

Singur itself carries a significant political legacy, as it was the site of Mamata Banerjee’s 2006 agitation against the Left Front government, which had attempted to acquire nearly 1,000 acres of farmland for Tata Motors’ Nano car project. The agitation became a defining moment in Bengal politics, propelling Banerjee to the chief ministership in 2011 and coining the TMC’s enduring slogan of “poriborton” (change). During his address, PM Modi revisited the town’s history in the context of development, contrasting his government’s pro-industry stance with what he described as TMC’s obstructionist policies.

“Every government that obstructs development work is now continuously punished by aware voters,” the Prime Minister said. He urged the people of Bengal to ensure that the “ruthless” TMC government is held accountable so that central welfare schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat, can reach the intended beneficiaries in the state. The Prime Minister highlighted examples of stalled projects, including a digital platform for fishermen to register and access benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which he said had been obstructed by the TMC administration.

By framing his address around good governance versus TMC’s ‘jungle raj’, PM Modi sought to emphasise the narrative that the BJP represents efficiency, accountability, and development, while portraying the incumbent TMC government as obstructive and indifferent to citizens’ welfare. He asserted that ending the “jungle raj” in Bengal was necessary to restore effective governance and ensure that the benefits of central schemes reach the people, especially marginalized groups like the poor and fishermen.

Political analysts note that the cultural pitch at Singur, alongside development-focused messaging, reflects a two-pronged strategy for the BJP in Bengal. First, by acknowledging Bengal’s heritage and achievements, the party attempts to mitigate regionalist critiques and appeal to voters’ sense of pride in their language and culture. Second, by drawing attention to administrative lapses and stalled welfare schemes under the TMC, the BJP positions itself as the party capable of delivering concrete governance outcomes.

Singur’s history as the launchpad of TMC’s political rise adds symbolic weight to PM Modi’s address. The abandoned Nano project remains a reminder of the Left Front’s perceived failures, and by revisiting the narrative of industrial progress and governance, Modi’s campaign effectively seeks to link past economic missteps to the TMC while projecting the BJP as a pro-development alternative.

Observers also note that highlighting initiatives such as Netaji’s statue, Bangla’s classical language recognition, and Durga Puja’s global cultural acknowledgment allows the BJP to blend a cultural appeal with electoral strategy, demonstrating sensitivity to local identity while countering the TMC’s narrative of defending regional interests against outsiders.

The rally comes as West Bengal gears up for assembly elections later this year, with political parties intensifying efforts to sway voters on multiple fronts, including culture, development, governance, and identity politics. By choosing Singur as the venue, PM Modi sent a symbolic message, situating his campaign in the historical epicenter of political agitation while framing the contest as a choice between development-oriented governance and the continuation of entrenched regional political patterns.

In conclusion, PM Modi’s Singur rally was designed to simultaneously honour Bengal’s historical and cultural legacyand challenge the TMC’s political narrative. By foregrounding respect for the state’s language, literature, and heritage, alongside highlighting central government schemes that have been stalled locally, Modi aimed to build a narrative of a government that respects local culture while ensuring effective governance. The rally reflects the BJP’s strategic effort to balance cultural sensitivity with development politics, reinforcing its pitch to voters in the lead-up to West Bengal’s assembly elections.