Prime Minister Modi Talks with Boatmen on Hooghly River
Introduction
On April 24, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Hooghly River in Kolkata, West Bengal. He hired boats, talked to local boatmen, and took pictures. This happened during his campaign for the state elections.
Main Body
Boat owner Mohammed Iftikhar Ahmed said a man asked for seven boats quickly. The man did not say why. Later, Ahmed learned that Prime Minister Modi was coming. After a morning walk, the Prime Minister got on Ahmed''s boat. Ahmed said Modi told everyone to live together in a friendly way. Another boatman, Gourango Biswas, said the Prime Minister came at 7 am. He rented a boat and rode for about one hour. Biswas said Modi asked his name and gave him a hug when they came back. The Prime Minister paid ₹1,000 and took pictures with his own camera. After the visit, Modi wrote on X that he spent time on the Hooghly River to say thank you to ''Ma Ganga.'' He said the Ganga is very special to people from Bengal. He also said he wants to help West Bengal grow. He met morning walkers and boatmen and praised their hard work. Modi shared pictures of the Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge from the river. The visit to Hooghly came after a roadshow from Howrah to Kolkata the day before. The Prime Minister is campaigning for his party, the BJP, in the assembly elections. The first voting day was April 22, 2026. The next voting day is April 29, 2026. People will count the votes on May 4, 2026. The BJP wants to beat the Trinamool Congress party, led by Mamata Banerjee. Her party has won three times in a row. The TMC says the BJP are ''outsiders'' in West Bengal. Modi''s visit to the river and a local snack shop tries to show he cares about the state''s culture.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi''s visit to the Hooghly River was a way to meet people during his election campaign in West Bengal. He talked directly to boatmen and used cultural symbols. This is part of the BJP''s plan for the elections. The next voting day is April 29.