As Lok Sabha polls approaches, PM Modi to visit Bengal for three days in March

The visit comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has levelled up the attack on the Mamata Banerjee government over reports of alleged sexual assault by Trinamool Congress leaders in Sandeshkhali and the party’s alleged attempts to protect them.

According to reports, PM Modi will be visiting the state on March 1, 2 and 6.

Apart from official programmes, PM Modi is scheduled to address public meetings in Arambagh on March 1, stay overnight in the state and address another public meeting in Krishnanagar.

He will return to West Bengal on March 6 to address a women’s rally in Barasat.

On Thursday, BJP state unit President Sukanta Majumdar said the party is keen to assemble mostly women in the Brasat rally including the ones from Sandeshkhali.

"If the mothers and sisters of Sandeshkhali want to meet the Prime Minister, we will arrange for them," the BJP leader had said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also expected to visit West Bengal twice, starting on February 28.

The BJP is attempting to raise the pitch on the accusations against Trinamool absconding leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters over illegal land grabbing and sexual coercion.

Sheikh is absconding since Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials had been attacked by elements considered linked to him during a raid related to a ration scam case on January 5.