Shah opens Durga Pujas in Kolkata, promises ‘Sonar Bangla’

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square in central Kolkata, declaring that the Bharatiya Janata Party would form the next government in West Bengal and build a “Sonar Bangla,” or golden Bengal.

Shah, also the BJP’s former national president, toured the elaborately decorated pandal, offered prayers, and watched the audio-visual presentation on the puja’s theme. “I prayed to the Goddess that after the Assembly election, Bengal gets a government that can build a Sonar Bangla,” he said, adding that the BJP wanted a prosperous and secure state envisioned by Rabindranath Tagore.

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The home minister also paid tribute to 19-century social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, praising his contribution to education, women’s empowerment, and Bengali grammar. “On behalf of myself and millions of BJP workers, I bow to Vidyasagar,” Shah said. After inaugurating the Santosh Mitra Square puja, Shah visited the Kalighat temple before heading to the East Zone Cultural Centre to launch the BJP’s own Durga Puja. His temple visit triggered a political row.

BJP leader Tushar Kanti Ghosh alleged that banners welcoming Shah, put up by party workers overnight, were removed by morning and replaced with posters of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. “This is dirty politics by the Trinamul Congress. Even during the home minister’s visit to a temple, they are doing politics,” Ghosh said, accusing police of siding with the ruling party.

The Trinamul Congress rejected the charges. Prabir Mukherjee, the local councillor, said: “Why would we remove posters? He is also our central minister, and it is our duty to welcome him. This is BJP’s internal feud. In fact, I am glad Amit Shah saw the development under Mamata Banerjee.” The incident underscored how Bengal’s festive season is increasingly intertwined with politics ahead of next year’s Assembly election.