West Bengal BJP launches 'Har Ghar Tiranga' drive from August 9 across all districts
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch its 'Har Ghar Tiranga' programme across all districts of the state beginning 9 August, running through 14 August, ahead of Independence Day. The initiative, part of the nationwide 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' campaign, aims to encourage citizens to hoist the Tricolour at their homes and is being rolled out on a significantly expanded scale this year.
Key Developments
BJP MP Saumitra Khan has been appointed as the state in-charge for the programme. Party leaders Anindya Banerjee (Raju), Sonali Murmu Soren, Mahadev Sarkar, and Falguni Patra have been named co-in-charges. Instructions have already been dispatched to district committees across West Bengal to ensure ground-level mobilisation.
The state BJP leadership has also formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to visit Bengal and address a meeting during the programme period. According to party sources, the matter has been placed before Shah's office. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether Shah will attend any event in the state during this window.
What the Programme Involves
Beyond flag hoisting at private residences, the BJP plans to organise flag marches, cultural events, and patriotic programmes across districts. The National Flag is to be hoisted at government and private offices, schools, institutions, and shops. The party is also working to bring central ministers and senior national leaders to district-level events to amplify the campaign's reach.
Political Context
The scale of this year's programme marks a notable shift for the West Bengal BJP. The party reportedly faced repeated obstacles from the previous All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government when conducting public programmes in the state. With the BJP now in government in West Bengal, the state leadership has indicated it intends to implement the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' drive in a manner not previously possible.
The initiative also carries a direct connection to the Centre, with the programme being driven on the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to party sources. This is the latest in a series of nationally coordinated BJP outreach exercises timed around Independence Day.
What to Watch
The confirmed or otherwise participation of Home Minister Shah will be closely watched, as his presence in Bengal would carry significant political weight beyond the symbolic scope of the flag-hoisting drive. The scale of district-level turnout will also serve as an early indicator of the new BJP government's organisational strength on the ground in West Bengal.