kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, May 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a massive political gathering at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday, where he reportedly bowed in respect to the people of West Bengal, describing the crowd as a symbol of “people’s power” amid what was described as a strong wave of support for the BJP.

The Prime Minister had earlier promised his presence at the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari following what the article describes as a significant electoral victory in West Bengal. Modi arrived in the state ahead of schedule and reached the venue via an Indian Air Force helicopter from Kolkata airport.

The Brigade Parade Ground was seen heavily packed with supporters, creating what organisers described as a “massive surge of public participation.” The atmosphere was marked by loud slogans and a large turnout of party workers and supporters from across the state.

Upon arriving at the stage, Modi first paid floral tribute to a portrait of Rabindranath Tagore and offered respects with folded hands, acknowledging the cultural significance of the occasion. The programme coincided with celebrations and political events following the formation of a new government in the state.

The Prime Minister is reported to have moved to the centre of the stage and bowed deeply before the crowd, bending his knees and offering a gesture of respect towards the people present. He later shared a video on social media stating that he bows to the “people’s strength of West Bengal,” reflecting on the electoral campaign and public support received during the election period.

The report also claims that the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a strong mandate in the state assembly elections, winning a large number of seats and forming the government, replacing the previous administration.

During the same event, Modi did not deliver a formal speech before leaving the venue after the programme concluded.

Separate emotional moment at the rally, the Prime Minister is reported to have greeted a 92-year-old supporter, Makhonlal Sarkar, by bending down to touch his feet. The elderly man, visibly moved, embraced Modi during the interaction. Sarkar is said to have been associated with early ideological movements linked to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and was reportedly imprisoned during earlier political movements.

The event at Brigade Parade Ground thus combined political messaging, cultural symbolism, and emotional public interactions, marking a significant moment in the post-election political landscape of West Bengal, as described in the report.