Politics
BJP ministers replace TMC patrons at Kolkata pujas
The Indian Express··1d ago
At Kolkata's Sreebhumi Sporting Club, a new committee opened this year's Durga Puja a day after Mahalaya under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, after Trinamool leader Sujit Bose stepped back amid a municipal jobs case. The pandal features an 80-foot Hawa Mahal replica. BJP MLAs and ministers now head several major committees that TMC figures once patronised.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Visitors to high-footfall pandals such as Sreebhumi face traffic and crowd controls as in past years.
- Committee leaders say celebrations will follow scriptures while keeping large themes.
- Government directives on liquor sales and DJ music during festivities remain in force statewide.
What's Happening
- Prabir Dhar said last year's 1.5 crore visitor estimate could be exceeded this season.
- Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee replaced Bose at Sreebhumi after defeating him in assembly polls.
- Sandipan Mitra said Durga Puja in Kolkata carries UNESCO intangible heritage recognition.
Patronage Shifts
- TMC leaders long acted as public faces of major city pujas.
- BJP MLAs now lead committees at Suruchi Sangha, Hathibagan Sarbojonin and Tala Prottoy.
- Organisers question whether control changed hands or only political sponsors.
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