Impact of Political Shift on Durga Puja Culture in West Bengal
Political Pandal Hopping: How Will Bengal's Power Shift Impact Its Durga Puja Culture?
News 18
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The 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal mark a significant political shift, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenging the Trinamool Congress (TMC). This change is expected to transform the management and themes of Durga Puja, the state's largest festival, potentially leading to a shift towards nationalist motifs and altering traditional patronage structures.
- 01The BJP's rise could redefine the cultural landscape of Durga Puja in West Bengal.
- 02Puja committees, historically aligned with the TMC, may shift towards BJP influences.
- 03The visual themes of Durga Puja are likely to reflect the BJP's nationalist narrative.
- 04Organizers face administrative challenges as state support may be restructured.
- 05Durga Puja remains a unifying force despite political polarization.
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The 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal are poised to create a historic transformation in the state's political landscape, particularly impacting the cultural identity surrounding Durga Puja. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as a formidable contender against the long-dominant Trinamool Congress (TMC), the festival's management and themes may undergo significant changes. Traditionally, Puja committees have served as political power brokers, often aligned with the TMC. However, the BJP's ascendance suggests a potential shift in patronage, as committee members may realign themselves with the new political reality. This could lead to a visible transformation in the visual language of the festival, moving away from the TMC's
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The political shift could lead to a redistribution of wealth within the Durga Puja festival economy, favoring committees aligned with the BJP, affecting local organizers and sponsors.
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