TMC vies with BJP as Ram Navami observance turns show of strength
Times of India | 27 March 2026
Kolkata: Ram Navami observance in Bengal on Thursday blurred the line between faith and politics, with Trinamool and BJP turning the occasion into a high-decibel show of strength.
More than 138 processions were scheduled across Kolkata and adjoining Howrah. Kolkata Police deployed over 7,500 perssonnel. Despite the scale of mobilisation, the city largely avoided major violence, though sporadic tensions underscored the fragility of the situation.
The most visible flashpoint was reported from New Town, where BJP supporters clashed with police after a procession from a Hanuman temple was stopped.
Officers intervened after spotting a participant carrying a sword — prohibited under court directives banning the display of weapons during such rallies. The situation escalated briefly, with BJP's Rajarhat–New Town candidate Piyush Kanodia joining the confrontation. The standoff eased after police allowed the procession to proceed without the weapon.
Senior BJP netas used the occasion to sharpen political messaging. Leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari led a prominent rally from Jadubabu Bazar to Hazra Crossing in south Kolkata.
Trinamool, however, ensured the narrative did not remain BJP-centric. In Kamarhati, Trinamool candidate Madan Mitra attended a puja, while Jorasanko candidate Vijay Upadhyay joined a large procession in Balak Dutta Lane that drew over a thousand participants.
Other Trinamool candidates, including Nayana Bandopadhyay (Chowringhee), Shashi Panja (Shyampukur) and Shreya Pandey (Maniktala), marked the day through a mix of on-ground participation and social media outreach.
On BJP's side, Jorasanko candidate Vijay Ojha attended multiple events across the constituency, while Maniktala candidate Tapas Roy moved across wards, joining processions and community gatherings.
In Beliaghata, members of the minority community organised a Ram Navami procession and invited political netas to take part. Trinamool candidate Kunal Ghosh and Vijay Upadhyay joined the event. Posting a photograph, Ghosh said, "It was organised this year too. Majid and his colleagues have organised the Ram Navami procession. Religion can be personal, but festivals are meant for all," Ghosh said.