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Amit Shah’s visit remains significant as it comes just months ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for next year
Union Home Minister Amit Shah (PTI Image)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Kolkata late Thursday night to participate in and inaugurate Durga Puja pandals in the city.
His arrival comes just days after heavy rains battered the metropolis, leaving at least 11 people dead, most of them due to electrocution.
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Shah was received at the airport by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya, and senior leader Rahul Sinha.
His visit remains significant as it comes just months ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for next year. The BJP is aiming to strengthen its connection with the people of Bengal by engaging during the state’s biggest festival.
Shah will first open the Durga Puja pandal organised by the Santosh Mitra Square committee, where this year’s theme is “Operation Sindoor” — India’s military action launched on May 7 in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The pandal will display images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Colonel Sophiya Qureshi, who became prominent public faces during the military operation.
“We don’t see this Puja as linked to politics. He (Shah) is our leader and our pride, and we are happy he is coming,” said BJP leader Sajal Ghosh, the chief organiser of the Santosh Mitra Square Puja.
The timing of Shah’s visit has added political weight.
BJP Appoints Poll In-Charge
Just before his arrival, the BJP’s central leadership announced Union Minister Bhupender Yadav as the party’s election in-charge for Bengal.
Yadav, a prominent OBC leader and seasoned strategist, will be assisted by former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who has been named co-incharge.
On Friday, Shah is also expected to visit the Kalighat Kali Temple to offer prayers, followed by the inauguration of the Durga Puja organised by the BJP at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre — an annual event hosted by the party’s Bengal unit.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP-led Centre of being “anti-Bengali,” alleging that Bengali workers in other states are being unfairly deported to Bangladesh.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, for her part, has already begun inaugurating pandals across the state as part of her outreach.
September 26, 2025, 08:05 IST
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