Kolkata/IBNS, April 24 -- The high-voltage campaign for the West Bengal Assembly elections took a softer turn on Friday morning as Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoyed a boat ride on the Hooghly river.

A day after the first phase of polling recorded a strong voter turnout, Modi spent time along the river, tried his hand at photography, and interacted with locals in a low-key mass outreach effort.

Praising the "tireless hard work" of boatmen, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to the development of West Bengal, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming for its maiden term.

On Thursday evening, Modi held a massive roadshow in Howrah, drawing large crowds as the BJP intensified its bid to unseat the Trinamool Congress (TM...