RSS Chief to Visit Bengal as Branches Surge to 2,500 Under TMC Rule

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to begin a six-day strategic tour of West Bengal on December 18, 2025, a move that signals the intensification of the BJP's "Mission Bengal" ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned rally in Arambag, Bhagwat's visit comes at a pivotal moment: the RSS has expanded its operational footprint in the state fivefold over the last 14 years, growing from 530 branches in 2011 to over 2,500 today. This organizational surge aims to consolidate the Hindu vote bank, challenging Chief Minister [Mamata Banerjee]'s political dominance.

The Context (How We Got Here)

Since the collapse of the Left Front in 2011, the RSS has quietly but systematically built a formidable ground network in Bengal. This expansion has occurred alongside the BJP's rise as the primary opposition. The current political climate is charged with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which both the TMC and BJP claim is being manipulated. While the BJP alleges 13 lakh bogus voters need deletion, Mamata Banerjee has framed the exercise as "Silent Invisible Rigging." Bhagwat's visit, coupled with the "Panch Lokkho Konthe Geeta Path" event on December 7, represents a coordinated push to mobilize Hindu sentiment across caste lines.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

Mohan Bhagwat (RSS Chief): The strategist behind the "Hindu consolidation." His visit to Siliguri and Kolkata is designed to energize cadres and bridge the gap between upper-caste and Dalit-OBC communities, crucial for the BJP's electoral math.
Mamata Banerjee (CM, West Bengal): The defender. Facing an aggressive saffron push, she has pivoted to "soft Hindutva," publicly declaring her Brahmin identity and funding temple projects, while simultaneously warning police to ensure Bhagwat's visit doesn't spark communal tension.
Suvendu Adhikari (BJP Leader of Opposition): The executor. He is championing a "5% Hindu vote swing" formula, targeting specific demographics like the Matuas to tip the scales in 141 core constituencies.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While the headlines focus on the election campaign, the deeper story is the "Cultural Reconquest" of Bengal. The RSS isn't just seeking votes; it is fundamentally reshaping Bengali identity. By expanding into 4,540 operational units, the Sangh is embedding a Pan-Indian Hindu nationalism that challenges the state's traditional linguistic and secular regionalism. Mamata's response—adopting Hindu symbolism—is not a counter-attack but a concession that the cultural battlefield has already shifted. The BJP is using AI-generated content featuring Bengali icons like "Gupi-Bagha" to package this shift, proving that the battle for Bengal is being fought as much in the cultural psyche as in the polling booth.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

This visit could accelerate the polarization of Bengal's electorate. If the RSS succeeds in consolidating a unified Hindu bloc, it renders the traditional "Muslim-plus-split-Hindu" voting model of the TMC vulnerable. The massive organizational growth of the RSS suggests that the BJP's challenge in 2026 will be structurally stronger than in 2021, backed by a cadre network that rivals the Left's historic machinery. For Mamata, the challenge is existential: she must now fight an opponent that has successfully defined the terms of the debate on religion and identity.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If the ruling party is forced to adopt the cultural language of the opposition to survive, hasn't the opposition already won the war of ideas, regardless of who wins the election?

FAQs

Why is RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visiting Bengal in December 2025? Bhagwat is visiting to oversee the RSS's organizational expansion and strategy ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The visit aims to consolidate Hindu votes and energize the 2,500+ branches now active in the state.

How much has the RSS grown in West Bengal under TMC rule? The RSS has seen massive growth during the TMC's tenure, expanding from roughly 530 branches in 2011 to over 2,500 branches by 2025, a nearly fivefold increase.

What is the BJP's "5% Hindu vote formula"? This is a strategy championed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, which posits that swinging just 5% of the Hindu vote—specifically from Dalits, OBCs, and upper castes currently aligned with TMC or neutral—would be sufficient for the BJP to secure a majority in 2026.

How is Mamata Banerjee responding to the RSS expansion? Mamata Banerjee has adopted a "soft Hindutva" approach, publicly asserting her Brahmin identity, increasing funding for Hindu festivals like Durga Puja, and building temples, in an attempt to prevent the BJP from monopolizing Hindu cultural sentiments.

What is the "Panch Lokkho Konthe Geeta Path" event? It is a massive gathering scheduled for December 7, 2025, at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, where 5 lakh people are expected to chant the Bhagavad Gita. While organized by Hindu bodies, it is backed by the RSS as a major mobilization event.

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Brajesh Mishra Associate Editor

Brajesh Mishra is an Associate Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK, specializing in daily news from India with a keen focus on AI, technology, and the automobile sector. He brings sharp editorial judgment and a passion for delivering accurate, engaging, and timely stories to a diverse audience.