Shah to inaugurate Durga Puja in Kolkata on 26 Sep
The Statesman | 23 September 2025Shah will formally inaugurate the Durga Puja, organized by Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha, widely seen as a Bharatiya Janata Party initiative, at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake, Bidhannagar. In addition to the EZCC event, BJP insiders said Shah may inaugurate two more community pujas in Kolkata, one in the northern part of the city and another in the south. The party has not confirmed details of the final itinerary. The BJP began organising Durga Puja at the EZCC in 2020, ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election. That year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the festivities virtually from Delhi. In 2023, Shah travelled to Kolkata to open the puja at Santosh Mitra Square in north Kolkata, popularly known as Lebutala Park, hosted by BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh.
This year, with another Assembly election approaching in 2026, Shah’s visit carries political weight. Party sources said his presence could extend to south Kolkata, possibly near Bhawanipur, chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s constituency, though no Puja committee has been officially named. Of the Pujas Shah is expected to inaugurate, Santosh Mitra Square remains the most prominent. The pandal will be opened to the public before Shah’s arrival, but the ceremonial inauguration, including lighting of the lamp, is scheduled for Friday. BJP leaders remained cautious about revealing too much before Shah’s schedule was finalised.
“We will speak only after receiving confirmation of the Home Minister’s programme,” a senior party functionary said.
