In Bengal, Shah to open Ram-Mandir themed Durga Puja mandap
Union home minister Amit Shah, who will reach Kolkata on Monday will inaugurate the renowned Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja in central Kolkata, organised by BJP leader and councillor Sajal Ghosh. This pandal is modelled after the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
BJP state president and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar is the chief patron of the Balurghat New Town durga puja pandal which is also modelled after the Ram Mandir.
Sajal Ghosh said, «We are proud that Amit Shah will come to inaugurate our puja pandal. The puja is themed on Ram Mandir.
I have invited all the councillors.»
Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee who has offered ₹70,000 each to puja clubs, is also on an inauguration spree. On Thursday, she virtually inaugurated nearly 800 puja pandals, followed by more on Saturday and Sunday.
She ran into a controversy for starting the inauguration in «pitru paksha», which ends with Mahlaya (on October 14). Mahalaya marks the end of 'Pitru Paksh' and Sunday marks the beginning of Nava ratra and the start of Durga Puja.
Banerjee could not visit the Kolkata pandals physically this year due to her leg injury.
