The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially released its list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming phases of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The list includes a mix of top national leaders, Chief Ministers from various states, and prominent personalities from the film and sports industries. According to party documents, these campaigners are tasked with mobilizing support through rallies and public meetings across the state. The announcement comes as political activities intensify in West Bengal, with the BJP aiming to consolidate its position in the region.
Top National Leadership and Union Ministers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the list of star campaigners for the BJP. He's joined by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP National President JP Nadda. According to party sources, the presence of these top leaders is intended to highlight the central government's developmental initiatives and address key national issues relevant to the state. Other senior ministers included in the list are Nitin Gadkari, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Ashwini Vaishnaw. These leaders are expected to hold major rallies in high-stakes constituencies to boost the party's electoral prospects.
Participation of Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled States
The BJP has deployed several of its Chief Ministers to spearhead the campaign in West Bengal. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, known for his influential campaigning style, is a prominent name on the list. He's joined by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been active in the region's political landscape. Other notable inclusions are Madhya Pradesh's former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, and Tripura CM Manik Saha. The involvement of these leaders aims to appeal to diverse linguistic and regional demographics within West Bengal.
Inclusion of Celebrities and Cultural Icons
To broaden its appeal among the electorate, the BJP has included several celebrities and cultural icons in its list of star campaigners. Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, a significant figure in Bengal, is expected to play a major role in the campaign. The list also features actors and MPs Hema Malini, Kangana Ranaut, and Smriti Irani. From the world of sports, tennis legend Leander Paes has been named as a campaigner to connect with the youth. On top of that, Manoj Tiwari, a popular figure in the Bhojpuri film industry, has been included to engage with the Hindi-speaking and migrant populations in the state.
Regional Leaders and Organizational Strategy
The party has placed significant responsibility on its local leadership in West Bengal. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, former state president Dilip Ghosh, and current state president Sukanta Majumdar are key figures in the 40-member list. They're supported by Union Ministers Shantanu Thakur, Raju Bista, and Jayant Kumar Roy. Organizational strategists such as Sunil Bansal and Amit Malviya have also been included to oversee the execution of the campaign. These leaders will focus on ground-level mobilization and highlighting local issues to challenge the incumbent administration.
Election Schedule and Campaign Kick-off Details
The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in two phases on 23 April and 29 April, with the results to be announced on 4 May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the party's campaign with a massive rally in Cooch Behar. During his address, the Prime Minister criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led government on various fronts, including governance and law and order. He claimed that there is a strong desire for political change in the state and expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal, while the rally marked the beginning of an intensive campaigning period for the party.