Key Highlights
- BJP’s plan: 1,500 book stalls near major Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal.
- On its shelves: Books on PM Modi’s 25 years in office, Hindu teachings, nationalist ideology and Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
- Free booklets: On the achievements of the state’s first BJP government in its first five months.
- CPI(M)’s twist: Popular Bengali writers alongside Marxist literature.
- The tradition: Political book stalls at Puja venues have long been a feature of Bengal’s festive season.
The West Bengal BJP will set up 1,500 book stalls near prominent Durga Puja pandals across the state during the festival, a party state committee member said.
“Our book stalls usually see the highest demand for books related to our party’s ideology, the teachings of the Hindu religion and nationalist ideology. This time, keeping the demand in mind, books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 25 years as an administrator will also be available,” the BJP leader said.
What the BJP Stalls Will Offer
| Category | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Party ideology and nationalist literature |
| Religion | Teachings of Hinduism |
| Leaders | Books on PM Modi’s 25 years; life of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee |
| Free booklets | Union and state government schemes and achievements |
The free booklets will highlight the first five months of the state’s first BJP-led government, including investments, welfare beneficiaries, administrative reforms and steps on women’s safety and financial empowerment.
The Left Changes Its Shelf
The CPI(M) will also set up stalls near popular pandals, continuing the Left’s long tradition of promoting political literature during the festival. This year, however, it plans to broaden its selection, displaying books by popular Bengali writers alongside Marxist and communist literature.
Why It Matters: The Puja as a Public Square
Durga Puja is Bengal’s biggest festival, drawing millions to pandals over several days. For decades, political parties, especially the Left, have used that footfall to reach people through book stalls, making the Puja an informal public square for ideas.
This year’s contest reflects Bengal’s changed politics. With the BJP now in power in the state, its stalls double as a showcase of its government’s early record. The CPI(M)’s decision to add popular Bengali literature suggests an effort to draw a wider crowd, not just committed supporters, by connecting with readers through Bengal’s literary culture.
For visitors, it means pandal-hopping this year may come with a choice of reading, from political biographies to Bengali fiction.
The Bottom Line
As Bengal celebrates Durga Puja, the battle of ideas is moving from rallies to bookshelves, with the BJP and the Left both betting that readers will stop by between pandals.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- BJP’s plan: 1,500 book stalls near major Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal.
- On its shelves: Books on PM Modi’s 25 years in office, Hindu teachings, nationalist ideology and Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
- Free booklets: On the achievements of the state’s first BJP government in its first five months.
- CPI(M)’s twist: Popular Bengali writers alongside Marxist literature.
- The tradition: Political book stalls at Puja venues have long been a feature of Bengal’s festive season.
The West Bengal BJP will set up 1,500 book stalls near prominent Durga Puja pandals across the state during the festival, a party state committee member said.
“Our book stalls usually see the highest demand for books related to our party’s ideology, the teachings of the Hindu religion and nationalist ideology. This time, keeping the demand in mind, books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 25 years as an administrator will also be available,” the BJP leader said.
What the BJP Stalls Will Offer
| Category | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Party ideology and nationalist literature |
| Religion | Teachings of Hinduism |
| Leaders | Books on PM Modi’s 25 years; life of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee |
| Free booklets | Union and state government schemes and achievements |
The free booklets will highlight the first five months of the state’s first BJP-led government, including investments, welfare beneficiaries, administrative reforms and steps on women’s safety and financial empowerment.
The Left Changes Its Shelf
The CPI(M) will also set up stalls near popular pandals, continuing the Left’s long tradition of promoting political literature during the festival. This year, however, it plans to broaden its selection, displaying books by popular Bengali writers alongside Marxist and communist literature.
Why It Matters: The Puja as a Public Square
Durga Puja is Bengal’s biggest festival, drawing millions to pandals over several days. For decades, political parties, especially the Left, have used that footfall to reach people through book stalls, making the Puja an informal public square for ideas.
This year’s contest reflects Bengal’s changed politics. With the BJP now in power in the state, its stalls double as a showcase of its government’s early record. The CPI(M)’s decision to add popular Bengali literature suggests an effort to draw a wider crowd, not just committed supporters, by connecting with readers through Bengal’s literary culture.
For visitors, it means pandal-hopping this year may come with a choice of reading, from political biographies to Bengali fiction.
The Bottom Line
As Bengal celebrates Durga Puja, the battle of ideas is moving from rallies to bookshelves, with the BJP and the Left both betting that readers will stop by between pandals.
With inputs from IANS.