Consistent attacks of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc on Narendra Modi’s credibility seem to have prompted the BJP to launch a counter-campaign centring around the Prime Minister’s upcoming 73rd birthday on September 17.

As part of the nationwide campaign, the Bengal BJP will organise a two-week exhibition on Modi’s “personality and achievements” in Calcutta.

Since Modi’s ascent to power, the BJP has been observing the fortnight from his birthday as Seva Paksha (period of service). However, the exhibition this time — from September 17 to October 2 — is unprecedented, sources said.

“Modiji is our face for the 2024 general elections. The party thought people needed to be reminded of his towering personality and achievements,” a source in the BJP said.

“I’m not crediting the attacks from the INDIA bloc for this, but evidently the party thinks it is necessary to remind voters of what Modiji has done for the nation.”

According to a circular issued on Friday by Jagannath Chatterjee, a Bengal BJP general secretary, the exhibition will be promoted and publicised through the party’s social media cell.

The third meeting of the INDIA bloc concluded on Friday in Mumbai. Before it began, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi questioned why Modi was not ordering a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani family in light of fresh reports alleging its financial malpractices. The Adani Group is led by Gautam Adani, known for his closeness to the PM.

“The Modi-(Amit) Shah duo thought that the Opposition alliance would never take shape. But now that it is getting stronger with each day, the BJP leaders are feeling the heat and are back to promoting Modi as a superhuman,” said Jay Prakash Majumdar, a Trinamul vice-president.

The CPM’s Samik Lahiri claimed INDIA enjoyed support of 60 per cent Indians. “Let them (the BJP) celebrate Adani’s birthday instead of Modi,” he said.

Bengal BJP’s chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said: “What is wrong in
celebrating the life and work of the world’s most popular leader?”