Durga Puja Inauguration: Amit Shah to visit Kolkata on September 26 to inaugurate three major puja pandals, including EZCC, Santosh Mitra Square, and one in South Kolkata near Mamata Banerjee’s constituency.
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | Friday, September 26, 2025
Shah’s Upcoming Visit
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to attend multiple Durga Puja Inauguration events in Kolkata on Friday, September 26. According to party sources, Shah will inaugurate three major pandals, including the East Zone Cultural Centre (EZCC) Durga Puja in Bidhannagar—organized under the banner of “Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha,” widely seen as a BJP-backed initiative.
Expansion Beyond EZCC
The Durga Puja Inauguration schedule doesn’t stop at EZCC. Shah is also expected to grace two other pujas in the city—one in North Kolkata and another in South Kolkata. Notably, BJP insiders suggest the South Kolkata event could be in the Bhabanipur area, close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s constituency. Party officials, however, remain cautious about confirming details until the final itinerary is released.
Historical Context
The BJP first organized a Durga Puja at EZCC in 2020, followed by a grand celebration in 2021, ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the event that year. In 2023, Amit Shah inaugurated the Santosh Mitra Square Puja in North Kolkata, led by BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh. This year, he is expected to preside over three inaugurations—marking the first time a senior BJP leader has participated in multiple puja launches in a single season.
Political Undertones
Among the inaugurations lined up, Santosh Mitra Square is considered the most high-profile. Organizers have already opened the pandal to visitors, though the formal lamp-lighting ceremony will be performed by Shah on Friday. His presence at pujas near politically sensitive constituencies, particularly Bhabanipur, is being closely watched as a strategic move ahead of state elections.
