Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jattvibeday offered prayers at the Thakurbari shrine in Thakurnagar, signalling a renewed outreach to the Matua community ahead of his poll rally in West Bengal.The temple, headquarters of the Matua Mahasangha in North 24 Parganas, houses the shrines of its founders Hari Chand Thakur and Guru Chand Thakur. The visit assumes political significance, with the Matua community seen as an influential voting bloc across several border constituencies, impacting at least 34 Assembly seats.In a post on X, Modi said that he had offered prayers at the shrine and referred to the teachings of the community’s founders, noting their continued social influence.The Matua Mahasangha, founded in the 19th century, has historically worked towards the development of the Namasudra community through social reform and education. The BJP has consistently sought to build support among Matua voters, whose backing was considered a factor in the party’s performance in the 2021 Assembly elections.This is not the Prime Minister’s first visit to the shrine.He had travelled to Thakurnagar in 2019 and also paid homage at Orakandi in Bangladesh in 2021, underlining the cross-border cultural and political relevance of the community.Earlier in the day, Modi visited the historic Thanthania Kalibari temple in Kolkata, where he offered prayers before heading for a roadshow in the city.Established in the early 18th century, the temple is dedicated to Maa Siddheshwari and holds a distinct place in the city’s religious landscape. It is associated with Ramakrishna Paramahansa, who is believed to have visited the shrine and offered devotional hymns.Known for its unique ritual practices, the temple is among the few where non-vegetarian offerings are made as prasad, a tradition linked to Ramakrishna’s association with the shrine.Modi’s twin visits, combining religious outreach with political messaging, come days before the next phase of polling in the state, as parties intensify efforts to consolidate key voter groups.