State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Wednesday said the Gangasagar Mela would become a congregation equivalent to Kumbh, an assurance that came after chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Narendra Modi government of undermining the Bengal pilgrimage that draws lakhs of people from across the country.

"Gangasagar is one of the significant pilgrimages of our country. I am giving my words standing on this holy land that we will ensure that the Gangasagar Mela becomes a congregation equivalent to Kumbh in future.... We will make all arrangements for this," Majumdar said after inaugurating a health check-up camp at the pilgrimage.

Former state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh was also at Gangasagar on Wednesday.

A source in the BJP said the visit of Majumdar and Ghosh was part of the party's plan to campaign for the inauguration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. The source said thousands of people from different parts of the country, especially the Hindi heartland, thronged the destination for a holy dip and the party wanted to campaign among them for the temple.

The Gangasagar Mela which was inaugurated by Mamata on Tuesday will continue till January 17.

"The party has to counter Mamata's accusation that the Centre is undermining the pilgrimage as it would send a wrong message to people coming from other states. Our leaders will continue visiting Gangasagar this year till the fair is over to campaign for the inauguration of the Ram temple," said a BJP leader.

Although the main rush is likely to be witnessed on the day of Makar Sankranti, January 15, this time, thousands of people from outside Bengal had started coming to the island quite early because they want to head for Ayodhya to visit the Ram temple soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates it on January 22.

Majumdar on Wednesday inaugurated a free health check-up camp, organised by the BJP, and distributed warm clothes among the devotees.

The Trinamul Congress heaped scorn on the BJP for its promise to turn Gangasagar Mela into one equivalent to Kumbh. "If they had to do anything for Gangasagar, they would have recognised it as a congregation of national importance. They would never do anything for Bengal. Our chief minister had made all possible arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrims," said Bankim Hazra, the Sunderbans affairs minister and Trinamul MLA from the Sagar Island.