Fog Disrupts PM Modi Bengal Visit; Rally Addressed Virtually from Kolkata

New Delhi, December 20, 2025: In a morning marked by thick winter mist and political anticipation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled physical appearance at a mega rally in Taherpur, Nadia district, was disrupted by heavy weather conditions. Despite reaching West Bengal’s airspace, the Prime Minister was forced to address the massive gathering virtually after his helicopter failed to land due to dangerously low visibility.

The Landing Challenge

The Prime Minister arrived at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata around 10:40 AM on Saturday. From there, he boarded a helicopter headed for the Taherpur helipad in the Ranaghat sub-division.

However, as the chopper approached the venue, a dense blanket of fog made the landing impossible. According to official reports, the pilot hovered over the helipad ground for several minutes, hoping for a window of clear weather. With no improvement in visibility, the decision was made to return to Kolkata for safety reasons.

“Safety is paramount. The pilot made multiple attempts to find a visual on the landing zone, but the fog was simply too thick to proceed,” a senior official stated.

A Virtual Shift to Save the Schedule

Back at the Kolkata airport, officials quickly pivoted to a virtual setup. To avoid a complete cancellation and to honor the thousands of supporters who had gathered at Taherpur Netaji Park, the Prime Minister’s address was shifted to a video conferencing format.

While the Prime Minister waited at the airport’s VIP lounge, the crowd in Nadia—many of whom had traveled from neighboring districts—watched the address on giant LED screens. The atmosphere remained charged despite the physical absence of the PM, with supporters waving national flags and chanting slogans.

Key Highlights of the Address

During his virtual speech, PM Modi combined administrative inaugurations with sharp political messaging:

• Infrastructure Push: The PM virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for two major National Highway projects worth ₹3,200 crore. This includes the 4-laning of the Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section of NH-34, a vital artery connecting Kolkata to North Bengal and Siliguri.
• Addressing the Matua Community: Taherpur is a stronghold of the Matua community. The PM addressed their concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, assuring the community that their rights and identities would be protected.
• Critique of State Governance: Launching the BJP’s “Parivartan Sankalpa Sabha,” the PM criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging “misgovernance” and “intimidation” in the state.

Why This Rally Matters

This visit was strategically significant as it marks the PM’s first major political outreach in Bengal since the publication of the draft electoral rolls. With the 2026 Assembly Elections on the horizon, the BJP is keen to consolidate its base among the refugee and Matua populations, who are central to the state’s border-district politics.

Following the virtual address, the Prime Minister is scheduled to depart for Assam, where he will continue his two-day tour of the Northeast, including the inauguration of the new terminal at the Guwahati airport.