In a strong show of grassroots outreach, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a padyatra through the streets of Bhabanipur in Kolkata on Monday, drawing large crowds of supporters and local residents.
The march, held amid the ongoing election atmosphere, saw Banerjee walking through key lanes of her traditional stronghold, interacting directly with voters. Supporters lined the streets, raising slogans and expressing solidarity as she moved through the area, which has long been considered a politically significant constituency.
During the padyatra, Banerjee emphasised her government’s development initiatives and welfare schemes, highlighting projects related to healthcare, education, and social security. She also used the platform to criticise opposition parties, accusing them of spreading misinformation and attempting to disrupt the democratic process.
The Bhabanipur constituency holds special importance for Banerjee, as it has been closely associated with her political journey over the years. Her decision to lead a padyatra here is being seen as a strategic move to consolidate support and energise party workers ahead of the crucial phases of polling.
Security arrangements were tightened across the area, with a visible presence of police personnel to manage the crowd and ensure the smooth conduct of the march. Traffic movement in several parts of south Kolkata was temporarily affected due to the large turnout.
Political observers believe such padyatras play a vital role in connecting leaders directly with the electorate, particularly in densely populated urban constituencies. As campaigning intensifies, more such public outreach programmes are expected across the state in the coming days.
