The BJP is preparing to focus on Monday on each of the 42 Lok Sabha seats and the 294 Assembly constituencies in Bengal to engage with the masses as much as possible, utilising the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, ahead of the general election.

The saffron ecosystem has decided not to confine such exercises to its strongholds and will attempt to go to every corner, including in the minority-dominated areas where it traditionally does not fare well in Bengal.

In an attempt to ensure widespread participation, the party has taken its message door-to-door, distributing leaflets about the Ayodhya temple and encouraging people to light lamps on the day.

In various parts of north Bengal, BJP cadres are engaged in distributing informational material and urging residents to join in the celebrations. The Mahakal Temple Puja Committee and Welfare Society has pledged to illuminate 51,000 lamps on Monday.

“Our workers reached out to numerous households and distributed nearly four lakh lamps. These lamps were distributed not only in Hindu families but also in Muslim neighbourhoods. Everyone is very interested in observing the day,” claimed an organiser from Cooch Behar.

The BJP’s efforts are conspicuous in tribal areas, specifically targeting communities such as Sabar and Kurmi in the Jungle Mahal.

With the support of 17 affiliates of the RSS, including Arogya Bharati, Seva Bharati, Hindu Jagran Manch and Bajrang Dal, the BJP is trying to make inroads into tribal communities, organising an apolitical Ram temple procession in Jhargram.

In several villages of Bankura, members of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirthkshetra Trust are inviting people to participate in congregational singing.

The organisational head of the south Murshidabad organisational district, Pralay Chattopadhayay, said the party was actively engaged in spreading the message of peace and religious harmony.

“We are reaching out to everybody. Some are hesitant, but most of them are wholeheartedly accepting us. This is not only a religious congregation but also a national festival,” he added.

Sources in the party said the central leadership asked all leaders, including MPs and MLAs, to stay in their respective constituencies and bond with the masses.

“I have been in my constituency for two days now, distributing lamps. So far, we have distributed nearly 22,000 lamps, and we hope to make it 50,000 by the morning. We have asked all the people to light the lamps in the evening,” said Bongaon North’s BJP MLA Ashok Kirtania.

Leaders like Suvendu Adhikari have conducted rallies and attended local programmes, bitterly criticising the Trinamul Congress’s interfaith marches and meetings for peace, unity, and amity.

“The Trinamul’s rallies are aimed at appeasing a particular community. Otherwise, what was the need for organising a rally on the same day? Trinamul wants to create a law-and-order situation in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls,” claimed Adhikari.

BJP state president and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar, who sent a gift of 1,100kg rice to Ayodhya, claimed those attempting to obstruct celebrations related to the Ram temple consecration would face electoral consequences. “Those trying to stop celebrations around the Ram temple inauguration will be given a befitting reply in the next election,” he said.