In West Bengal, the BJP has transformed Durga Puja into a strategic political tool to counter the TMC’s accusations of being ‘anti-Bengali’ and to launch a cultural offensive ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The party is sending over a hundred leaders to different states to engage with the Bengali diaspora, reviving its prominent puja at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre in Salt Lake, increasing the presence of bookstalls at pandals, and organizing competitions with substantial prizes for puja organizers. This initiative aims to integrate the BJP into Bengal’s cultural identity and challenge the TMC’s dominance over Bengali pride.
BJP strategists view this approach as a blend of symbolism and strategy, combining religious sentiment with identity politics to counter Mamata Banerjee’s narrative that portrays the BJP as an outsider. A senior BJP leader emphasized that Durga Puja represents not only devotion but also pride and belonging, suggesting that if the party can become part of this identity, it would significantly shift the political landscape. He criticized the TMC for its perceived disservice to Bengal and its people. During what is described as their ‘largest festive connect ever,’ nearly 107 BJP functionaries are deployed across 22 states and Union Territories this season under the ‘Durgapuja Bangali Milan Samaroh’ program.
Notable figures include State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya in Gujarat, former state president Sukanta Majumdar in Varanasi, and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in Tripura, with other leaders sent to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. This effort is part of the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative, promoting connections among diasporas across the country.