BJP chief Nitin Nabin joins Mann Ki Baat 138 at Biswa Bangla Centre in Kolkata
Synopsis
BJP's new national president Nitin Nabin chose West Bengal — the site of the party's most recent electoral triumph — as the stage for his first state visit, gathering leaders and workers at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre to listen to Modi's 138th Mann Ki Baat. The optics were deliberate: a party cementing gains while amplifying Modi's personal outreach on surgical strikes, Census duty, and drug-free youth.
Key Takeaways
BJP national president Nitin Nabin attended a Mann Ki Baat listening event at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, New Town, Kolkata on 27 September 2026 .
This was Nabin's first visit to West Bengal as BJP president after the party's victory in the state.
Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari and state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya were also present at the event.
The 138th edition of Mann Ki Baat covered the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Surgical Strikes , the Census, and the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan' .
PM Modi urged citizens to treat the Census as a national duty , stressing its role in strengthening welfare planning.
Nabin posted on X , calling Mann Ki Baat 'a medium to bring forth inspirational stories' of positive change.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Nitin Nabin on Sunday, 27 September 2026, attended a special listening session of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' — its 138th edition — at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, Kolkata, alongside Bengal party leaders, workers, and members of the public. The event marks Nabin's first visit to West Bengal as BJP national president following the party's recent assembly victory in the state.
Who Was Present
The gathering at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre brought together a cross-section of the party's Bengal unit. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, and a large contingent of party leaders and karyakartas joined Nabin for the broadcast. According to reports, the occasion filled workers with what organisers described as 'a special sense of enthusiasm.'
What the 138th Edition Covered
During the 138th edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Modi addressed several themes of national importance. He spoke about the valour of the Indian Army on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Surgical Strikes, highlighted the country's historical and cultural heritage, and underscored the importance of nature conservation. He also spotlighted the youth's resolve against drug abuse, referencing the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan' and pledges taken by lakhs of young Indians across the country.
Modi's Census Appeal
A significant portion of the broadcast was devoted to the upcoming Census, which Modi described as the 'national duty of every citizen.' He stressed that reliable demographic data from the exercise strengthens welfare scheme planning and urged countrywide public participation. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that with citizen cooperation, the Census would be completed successfully across all regions of India.
Nabin's Remarks and X Post
Nabin took to social media platform X to share pictures from the event and post his own reflection on the programme. 'Mann Ki Baat has become a medium to bring forth countless such efforts and inspirational stories from across the country, which are setting new examples of positive change in the nation through collective endeavours,' he wrote. Referring to the Prime Minister's anti-drug appeal, Nabin added that the BJP has always been serious about combating drug abuse and that the party's goal is to make India drug-free. This is the first such high-profile Mann Ki Baat listening event organised in West Bengal since the party's electoral breakthrough in the state, signalling the BJP's intent to consolidate its presence on the ground ahead of future electoral contests.
Point of View
And this event doubles as a consolidation exercise. Mann Ki Baat listening events have long functioned as political mobilisation tools dressed in civic clothing, and hosting one with the chief minister and state president in tow sends a clear signal about the party's intent to institutionalise its Bengal foothold. What's worth watching is whether the party's ground organisation in Bengal can convert this momentum into durable governance delivery, or whether it remains a symbolic presence. The Census appeal and anti-drug messaging also give the BJP a policy-centred narrative in a state where it has historically struggled to move beyond polarised electoral frames.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did BJP president Nitin Nabin visit West Bengal on 27 September 2026?
Nitin Nabin visited West Bengal on 27 September 2026 to attend a Mann Ki Baat listening session at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata, his first visit to the state as BJP national president following the party's recent victory there. The event was attended by Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari and state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.
What is Mann Ki Baat and what was covered in the 138th edition?
Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi connects directly with citizens on issues of national interest. The 138th edition covered the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Surgical Strikes, India's cultural heritage, nature conservation, the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan' against drug abuse, and an appeal for public participation in the upcoming Census.
What did Nitin Nabin say about Mann Ki Baat?
Nabin posted on X that 'Mann Ki Baat has become a medium to bring forth countless such efforts and inspirational stories from across the country, which are setting new examples of positive change in the nation through collective endeavours.' He also said the BJP is committed to making India drug-free.
What did PM Modi say about the Census in Mann Ki Baat 138?
PM Modi described the Census as the national duty of every citizen and stressed that reliable demographic data strengthens the planning of welfare schemes. He appealed for public cooperation and expressed confidence that the exercise would be completed successfully across all regions of India.
Who attended the Mann Ki Baat event at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre?
The event was attended by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, and a large number of party leaders and workers, along with members of the public.
