Political parties in West Bengal using Durga Puja for the 2024 poll battle
West Bengal immerses itself in Durga Puja festivities, rivals TMC and BJP are using the occasion to bolster their political influence ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The two parties are engaging with the public and emphasising on religion as a narrative in Bengal's electoral landscape.
Both the parties look at the annual puja extravaganza as a chance to reach out to the people and have developed comprehensive strategies to convey their messages during it.
The ruling TMC continuing its tradition, announced a range of grants to over 40,000 community pujas despite criticisms that it is stoking religious sentiments at the expense of the exchequer.
The party has taken additional steps like setting up book stalls, health camps and water kiosks at Puja pandals to engage with the public.
BJP on the other hand enhanced its presence in the puja scenario this time by inviting a number of central leaders and union ministers, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda to inaugurate several community pujas in the state.
It also extended financial aid for the first time to more than 400 puja committees who are deprived of the state's largesse.
It tried to bring in temple politics in the state with BJP leader Sajal Ghosh coming up with a replica of the under-construction Ayodhya temple as a Puja marquee at Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee. Home Minister Shah inaugurated it last week.
TMC leader Sougata Roy said, «Durga Puja is not just a festival in Bengal but a cultural extravaganza, with which everybody cutting across political and religious lines can identify. We utilize this festival as a means to reach out to the general people through our party stalls and kiosks.
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