Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Kolkata on Friday to inaugurate three high-profile community Durga Puja pandals, signalling the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) active engagement with West Bengal’s cultural calendar.
State BJP leaders have already confirmed two of the three pandals.
The state BJP directly supports the first confirmed event, the community Durga Puja organised by the Paschim Banga Sangskritik Manch (West Bengal Cultural Forum).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Puja in 2020, the year organisers launched it. This was one year before the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The second confirmed pandal is the Santosh Mitra Square Community Durga Puja at Lebutala Park in North Kolkata.
The Puja is organised by BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. It has gained a reputation for its bold, innovative themes.
This year’s theme, ‘Operation Sindoor’, highlights the Indian Armed Forces’ strikes on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Last year, the Puja celebrated the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Ghosh also became the first Puja organiser to reject the annual state government grant, and other organisers later adopted his stance.
The third Puja Amit Shah will inaugurate remains under wraps. BJP insiders hint at holding it in South Kolkata. They suggest it could be within or near the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee represents.
Amit Shah will arrive in Kolkata on Friday morning and will return to Delhi the same evening after inaugurating all three Pujas.
The visit coincides with the festive spirit of Durga Puja and officials view it as a significant outreach to the people of West Bengal.
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