Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned election rally in West Bengal ran into disruptions on Saturday after dense fog prevented his helicopter from landing at Nadia’s Taherpur, forcing a virtual address from Kolkata, even as a fatal train incident near the venue and visible on-ground resentment triggered political and organisational fallout for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).The rally was part of the BJP’s West Bengal unit’s effort to gain momentum at the start of the campaign despite discontent spreading among sections of the Matua community over the draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. A large number of people living in border constituencies dominated by the community were reportedly flagged under “No Mapping”, casting their future in uncertainty.Also read: A ‘Hindu Card’ for Rs 50: Inside a Camp Issuing Citizenship Shields for Matuas in BengalThe party had hoped Modi’s presence would calm tensions and energise cadres in this politically sensitive belt, that in recent years has elected multiple BJP legislators and Members of Parliament.However, the mood on the ground appeared hostile towards the Prime Minister’s party. Boards reading ‘Go Back Modi’, put up by a relatively unknown Matua Namasudra Adhikar Mancha, were seen across the area, prompting BJP leaders to remove them early in the day.Another screengrab of BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal tearing down a ‘Go Back Modi’ poster in Nadia.With visibility low due to dense fog, Modi’s helicopter could not land at Taherpur and returned towards Kolkata. A subsequent plan for a road journey was reportedly dropped on security grounds, and the Prime Minister ultimately addressed the gathering virtually from Kolkata airport.Without directly addressing the SIR-linked “No Mapping” tension at the core of local discontent, Modi instead sought to strike a cultural and community chord, saluting Matua icons such as Harichand Thakur, Guruchand Thakur and Baroma and framing the community’s role in social reform and welfare. He then pivoted to broader political messaging and development-related announcements, including national highway projects, while reiterating the BJP’s “double-engine” pitch.Referring to the protesters’ slogans, Modi said critics should instead target “infiltrators,” alleging that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) remained silent on the issue.“They should be saying ‘go back infiltrators’, but instead they say ‘Go Back Modi.’ They say nothing about infiltrators and remain silent… This is the true face of the Trinamool,” he said.Invoking Vande Mataram, Modi referred once again to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, this time avoiding the term “Bankim Da”, which had earlier drawn sharp criticism in Bengal, and instead calling him “Rishi Bankim Babu” – a formulation that is also uncommon in the state’s cultural and literary tradition.“When the country was under colonial rule, Rishi Bankim Babu gave the mantra of freedom through ‘Vande Mataram’ and created a new awakening. Today, ‘Vande Mataram’ is the inspiration of a developed India. That is why the BJP government is adopting new policies,” Modi announced.At the venue, frustration among party workers grew as it became clear the Prime Minister would not arrive in person. Supporters shouted that they had been brought to see Modi and were not interested in speeches by state BJP leaders.Also read: The Vande Mataram Charade: How BJP Weaponises History While India BurnsHours before the scheduled rally on Saturday morning, three BJP supporters died near the venue after a train approached as they went near the tracks, allegedly due to the lack of toilet facilities. The group had arrived by bus from Barua in Murshidabad. One person was declared critical at a hospital, and another was admitted for treatment.“Leaders informed the mandals and brought all workers and supporters here with just one night’s preparation, but they made no arrangements for us. We were told to come from the night and create a crowd at the rally. We came in the cold as instructed. But there were no arrangements for staying overnight, toilets, food, or drinking water in the morning,” alleged, Subhash Ghosh, a BJP worker from Krishnaganj.The deaths soon turned into a political flashpoint, with Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, sharply criticising Modi and the state BJP leadership for going ahead with the rally despite the incident. TMC leaders visited the bereaved families and promised assistance. Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM Rally in Ranaghat today. Rally next to rail line. 4 went to answer nature’s call & were killed by 31814 Dn local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out &… pic.twitter.com/lGkVONidti— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) December 20, 2025Even as the BJP grappled with the day’s fallout, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is on a four-day visit to West Bengal – his second to the state this year. He is scheduled to hold organisational meetings at Science City in Kolkata from Sunday, following similar meetings in North Bengal.Translated from Bengali to English by Aparna Bhattacharya.