Prime Minister Modi's River Journey Highlights Bengal's Prosperity Amid Elections
Modi's Unique River Voyage in Kolkata
Just hours after the historic voting for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen in a different light. On Friday morning, he embarked on a boat ride along the Hooghly River in Kolkata, reaffirming his commitment to the prosperity of Bengal. Holding a camera, he shared moments from his boat journey and time spent by the riverbank.
This event took place shortly after the first phase of voting concluded, which recorded an impressive turnout of 92.88%, the highest since independence. In videos and photos shared on X (formerly Twitter), Modi was seen seated in a wooden boat with the iconic Vidyasagar Setu in the background. He expressed gratitude to 'Maa Ganga' and reiterated his dedication to the development of Bengal and the welfare of its people.
A Special Connection with the Ganga
In his post, Modi remarked, "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 civilization. This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly River; it was an opportunity to express gratitude to Maa Ganga... While on the river, I reaffirmed my commitment to the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of its great people." He also interacted with local residents and boatmen, sharing images of his encounters with morning walkers.
Record Voter Turnout in West Bengal Elections
This visit occurred amidst the ongoing political activities in the state. The voting for the first phase concluded at 6 PM on Thursday, achieving a remarkable turnout of 92.88%, which the Election Commission has declared as the highest since independence. The second phase of voting is scheduled for April 29.
On Thursday, Modi addressed a public gathering in Krishnanagar and visited Belur Math for prayers. Today, he is set to speak at election rallies in Dum Dum and Jadavpur, scheduled for 11:30 AM and 1 PM, respectively.
The BJP aims to unseat the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state. Modi described the significant voter turnout as a 'strong mandate for change,' predicting that May 4, the day of vote counting, will mark the end of TMC's '15-year-old syndicate system and jungle raj' in the state.
TMC's Optimistic Outlook
However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the current voting trends indicate that the TMC is 'already in a winning position,' with expectations of securing between 125 to 134 seats out of 152. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Modi's Message on Social Media
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2026
This morning in Kolkata, I spent some time on the banks of the Hooghly river, an… pic.twitter.com/I3Y0gsFl3E