Durga Puja in Kolkata is known for turning pandals into elaborate works of art. But this year, a puja near Ruby Crossing is set to give the concept of a themed pandal a distinctly political twist. The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha is planning a Durga Puja centred on the life and political journey of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, under the theme “Nandigram to Nabanna: Bubai’s Joyjatra.”
The pandal will trace Adhikari’s political journey from his early association with the Trinamool Congress and the Nandigram movement to his switch to the BJP, his years as Leader of the Opposition and his eventual rise to the chief minister’s office. His years in the TMC will also feature in the narrative.
The installation will combine traditional art of Bengal along with photographs, flex panels, cut-outs, murals, models and a documentary chronicling Adhikari’s political career. A bust and miniature representation of the chief minister are also being planned as part of the display.
Chandrachur Goswami, state president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, said the organisers wanted to portray Adhikari’s journey through a visual narrative rather than a conventional political exhibition.
“The idol is being made by artist Balai Pal at Kalighat Patuapara, right next to Mamata Banerjee’s residence. It will be a traditional-style Durga idol. Alongside the main chala, we are creating a collage-like display highlighting the public welfare initiatives undertaken by the West Bengal government under Suvendu Babu,” Goswami said.
A bust of Adhikari is currently being made in Krishnanagar by sculptor Kajal Pal. The organisers have also approached artist Manik Debnath to create a miniature representation, which Goswami said could be carved on a single lentil.
A documentary covering key stages of Adhikari’s political career and his association with the Nandigram movement will also be screened. Traditional patachitra elements are expected to form part of the pandal design, bringing together religious art, political imagery and biographical storytelling.
Goswami said the organisation would invite senior national leaders to the puja. “I am going to Delhi to invite the Hon’ble President and Prime Minister for this unique Durga Puja. The complete political journey of Bubai, our Hon’ble Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, will be the main focus, including his tenure as a TMC leader,” he said.
The theme comes months after Adhikari’s political rise culminated in the BJP forming its first government in West Bengal, with the Nandigram leader becoming chief minister. His electoral battle with Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram during the 2021 Assembly election had already established the constituency as one of Bengal’s most closely watched political battlegrounds.
Preparations for the Durga puja celebration at the Ruby Crossing are already under way. The organisers expect the unusual fusion of Durga Puja and political biography to draw considerable public attention during the festive season.
