Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit West Bengal on September 26 to inaugurate Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata. His visit comes at the invitation of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and is expected to be a high-profile event in the festive calendar, with clear political overtones.
According to the tentative schedule, Shah will land in Kolkata by noon on Chaturthi. Later in the day, he is slated to inaugurate two prominent Pujas in the city — the Santosh Mitra Square Puja, organised by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sajal Ghosh, and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC)’s Durga Puja, conducted by the West Bengal Cultural Forum.
The Santosh Mitra Square Puja, one of the most talked-about in Kolkata, has been closely associated with Sajal Ghosh, a key BJP figure. Known for its innovative themes, the Puja has in the past recreated the Ram Temple and the Red Fort.
This year, as the Puja enters its 90th year, the organisers have chosen the theme “Operation Sindoor.” Amit Shah will formally inaugurate the pandal, marking yet another political highlight for the venue.
The second Puja on Shah’s itinerary is the EZCC Durga Puja, which is being organised by the West Bengal Cultural Forum. While the BJP’s name does not appear officially in the arrangements, several state party leaders are actively involved in the preparations. State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya was present during the Khooti Puja as well.
The EZCC Puja has a history of political association. It was originally initiated by Mukul Roy when he was with the BJP, during the tenure of Dilip Ghosh as state president. However, the effort lost momentum after two years. This year, the BJP-backed initiative has been revived with new energy.
Party insiders noted that Shah’s final itinerary is still under discussion. While Santosh Mitra Square and EZCC are on the confirmed list, there remains a possibility that he may inaugurate another Puja depending on schedule adjustments.
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