BJP Deploys Massive Force in West Bengal, With Shah at the Helm
With Durga Puja festivities over, West Bengal is shifting into election mode, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun mobilizing an unprecedented force to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress. According to party sources, more than 1,200 BJP leaders, including members of Parliament from across India, will be stationed in the state in the coming months to oversee campaign operations. The move signals a clear strategy by the central leadership to take direct control of Bengal’s election battle, sidelining much of the state unit. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has been appointed chief election observer for Bengal, with former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb as his deputy. At the top of the chain of command will be Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is expected to spend seven to 10 days in Bengal every month starting in December. Party insiders said accommodations for Shah are being finalized in the Bidhannagar-New Town area. The deployed leaders will conduct on-the-ground surveys, identify weak spots in BJP’s campaign, and coordinate messaging based on intelligence and survey reports. Each MP will be assigned responsibility for two assembly constituencies, supported by three to four senior leaders and 10–12 local workers. Special automated phone numbers will be generated for each constituency to coordinate outreach and monitor rival propaganda. Once elections are announced, the party plans to appoint “page in-charges” for every page of the voter list. Each will oversee a small team tasked with maintaining direct, personal contact with voters until polling day, even without distributing party materials. Despite the large-scale effort, political observers remain skeptical about the plan’s effectiveness. Some warn that too many leaders in the field could create confusion rather than unity. In the 2021 assembly election, the BJP campaigned aggressively but managed only 77 seats, far short of its goal of toppling Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Still, BJP leaders insist this time will be different. “The central leadership has set its sights firmly on Bengal,” a senior state leader said. “There is no question of compromise. Whatever needs to be done to win power will be done.”
Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja amid theme row, police friction
The 90th edition of Santosh Mitra Square’s Durga Puja, themed on “Operation Sindoor,” has drawn massive crowds since its inauguration by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. The theme commemorates India’s cross-border strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April that killed 26 civilians. BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh, the general secretary of the puja committee, said the theme was meant to awaken patriotism and pay tribute to the armed forces. “Operation Sindoor is the voice of every Indian’s heart, showcasing our armed forces’ strength. Through this pandal, we wanted to pay tribute,” Ghosh said. But the festivities quickly sparked friction with police. Ghosh told reporters Saturday that “non-cooperation” from police may force organizers to close the puja. He alleged that roads had been blocked with barricades, civic volunteers were withheld and restrictions were imposed on sound systems and stalls. “They know there will be agitation and commotion. In such conditions it is not possible for us to continue puja,” Ghosh said, warning that if pressure continued, organizers could switch off the lights and cover the Durga idol’s face with black cloth. He even suggested the idol’s immersion might take place before schedule. The committee claimed it had secured permissions from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, PWD and police, and had already installed 30 to 35 of the 60 CCTVs required. But Ghosh alleged that the state government was “targeting” the festival, despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s repeated claim that “Utsav is for all.”
Amit Shah prays for ‘Sonar Bangla’ at Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja pandal inauguration
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal of Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata today and extended his greetings to the people of West Bengal and the entire country on the occasion of Durga Puja. Addressing the gathering, Shah said he had offered prayers to Maa Durga at the pandal and sought her blessings for a new government in Bengal after the 2026 assembly elections—one that would restore the state’s lost glory of ‘Sonar Bangla’ (Golden Bengal). “I have prayed to Maa Durga that after this assembly election, there is a government which can make the state ‘Sonar Bangla,’” he said. Emphasising the vision of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, he added, “May Bengal once again become safe, prosperous, peaceful, and fertile.” The Home Minister also paid tribute to the late Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the great educationist and social reformer whose contributions to education, women’s empowerment, and Bengali culture remain unparalleled. “On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, I offer my respectful homage at the feet of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar,” he said. Shah expressed condolences for those who lost their lives during recent heavy rainfall in Bengal. At least 11 people died following torrential rain on September 23. “I pay homage to those who lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Bengal,” he said, extending sympathy to their families. Arriving in Kolkata on Thursday night, Shah was received at the airport by senior state BJP leader Rahul Sinha. On Friday, before inaugurating the Santosh Mitra Square pandal, he visited the famous Kalighat temple in south Kolkata to offer prayers to the Goddess. Later, he is scheduled to inaugurate the Durga Puja pandal of the BJP-backed Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake. Highlighting the global recognition of Bengali Durga Puja, Shah said, “This festival is not only celebrated in West Bengal or India but is also renowned across the world. For nine days, citizens of Bengal dedicate themselves to the worship of this divine energy, and these days are especially significant for the state.” Concluding his address, he expressed hope that the festival would usher in auspicious beginnings and contribute to Bengal’s development, in line with the broader vision of a thriving India envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India appoints ex-CRPF chief Anish Dayal Singh as deputy to NSA Doval
India has appointed former paramilitary chief Anish Dayal Singh as a deputy to National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, with responsibility for domestic security, government sources told Press on Monday. Singh, a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1988 Manipur cadre, has been named Assistant National Security Adviser (ANSA). He previously headed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and served nearly three decades in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). He retired in December 2023. Officials said Singh will oversee issues related to Jammu and Kashmir, counter-insurgency operations against Maoist rebels, and internal security in India’s northeast. His appointment adds to the team of two existing assistant NSAs – retired IPS officer T.V. Ravichandran and former diplomat Abhay Kapoor – while former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Rajinder Khanna serves as Additional NSA. During his tenure as CRPF chief, Singh expanded counter-Maoist operations, creating four new battalions and over three dozen forward operating bases in insurgency-hit regions. His appointment comes as the government pushes to eradicate Maoist militancy by March 2026, a target set by Home Minister Amit Shah. According to official data presented in parliament, districts affected by Maoist insurgency have fallen from 126 in 2013 to just 18 in April 2025. The government has not issued a formal statement on Singh’s new role, but analysts say his experience in counter-insurgency and intelligence makes the appointment significant at a time when New Delhi is focusing on domestic security challenges.
India’s opposition erupts as Amit Shah tables bill to disqualify ministers after 30 days in custody
A stormy session rocked India’s Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Home Minister Amit Shah introduced a controversial constitutional amendment bill that would strip the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers of their positions if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days. The 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, introduced alongside two other pieces of legislation — the Union Territories Government (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill — was met with uproar from the opposition benches. Lawmakers from Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of weaponising the law to silence dissent. As soon as Shah rose to present the bill, opposition MPs stormed the well of the House, shouting slogans and tearing up copies of the draft legislation. The chaos forced Speaker Om Birla to adjourn proceedings until the afternoon, after which the bill was referred to a joint parliamentary committee. Opposition cries foul Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi strongly criticised the move, calling it “unconstitutional and undemocratic.” “Any Chief Minister can now be kept in custody for 30 days without being convicted, and automatically lose office. This is nothing but a tool to crush democracy under the garb of fighting corruption,” she said. Her remarks come against the backdrop of several high-profile arrests of opposition leaders in recent years, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren, both of whom were detained on graft-related charges. TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, a vocal critic of the BJP government, accused the Centre of evading accountability while seeking more power. In a statement on social media, he wrote: “The government has failed to protect India’s sovereignty and uplift farmers and workers, but it wants to use agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to dismantle state governments. This bill reflects an authoritarian mindset.” Banerjee also attacked the Modi government for “hollow bravado” on national security, pointing to its failure to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) echoed those concerns. General Secretary M.A. Baby described the bill as “neo-fascist,” while Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas warned it would destabilise opposition-ruled states by undermining India’s federal structure. Government defends the bill Rejecting charges of authoritarianism, Shah argued that the draft law would undergo scrutiny by lawmakers across the political spectrum. “The bill will go to a joint parliamentary committee where both ruling and opposition members will be represented,” he said. Despite his assurance, opposition MPs continued their protests inside Parliament, prompting another adjournment. A political flashpoint The proposal comes at a time of heightened political confrontation in India, with the 2026 state elections looming. Critics argue the bill could be used selectively against opposition leaders, enabling the BJP to weaken rival parties by engineering ministerial disqualifications. “This is a direct assault on the Constitution and India’s federal framework,” said AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who joined Congress and Left MPs in opposing the measure. Whether the 130th amendment ultimately passes remains uncertain. But for now, it has united an otherwise fragmented opposition bloc against what they describe as the Modi government’s latest attempt to consolidate power.
Shah set to inaugurate Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata, BJP signals cultural push before polls
Kolkata, India – India’s Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to inaugurate two Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata this September, marking his return to Bengal’s biggest cultural festival after a year’s gap. The move comes just months ahead of the 2026 state elections, underscoring the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) bid to deepen its presence in West Bengal’s cultural landscape. According to BJP sources, Shah is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on September 22, a day after Mahalaya which signals the beginning of the festival’s Devi Paksha (the fortnight dedicated to the goddess). He is likely to inaugurate the Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square — a high-profile community puja in central Kolkata — followed by another at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake, organised under the banner of the “Paschimbanga Sanskriti Mancha,” a BJP-backed cultural platform. In 2023, Shah inaugurated the Santosh Mitra Square puja, themed around the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The EZCC puja, meanwhile, has been a BJP initiative since 2020, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched it during the pandemic. This year, Santosh Mitra Square is adopting the theme “Operation Sindoor,” while BJP’s cultural cell, led by actor-turned-politician Rudranil Ghosh, is steering the EZCC celebration. Despite BJP’s confidence, the official confirmation of Shah’s visit is still awaited from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Until then, both puja committees are refraining from public announcements. Durga Puja, recently recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is Bengal’s largest festival and a significant stage for political signalling. While Kolkata’s marquee pujas are usually helmed by non-political community groups, the BJP has sought to carve out its own space in the celebrations, projecting the involvement of its central leaders as a show of strength. Shah’s last inauguration in 2023 came months after the BJP suffered setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections in Bengal. His return to the city’s festive stage this year, BJP insiders suggest, is aimed at energising the party’s cadre and reclaiming lost ground before the assembly polls.
Ex-vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar’s absence sparks concern, Sanjay Raut seeks answers
The unexplained absence of former Indian vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar from public view since his sudden resignation last month has prompted concern among opposition leaders, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut formally writing to Home Minister Amit Shah for clarity. In his letter, Raut said repeated attempts to contact Dhankhar had failed and there was no official word on his whereabouts or health. “From July 21 till today, there has been no information about the whereabouts of our (former) vice president. What is his current location? How is his health? There is no clarity on these matters,” Raut wrote. Dhankhar resigned as vice president on 21 July, the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon session – a move that surprised both government and opposition ranks. He also vacated his official residence soon after stepping down. Raut voiced fears for Dhankhar’s safety, saying “the nation deserves to know the truth” amid unverified rumours that the former vice president had been confined to his residence. He added that he may file a writ petition in the Supreme Court if the government fails to respond. Three senior opposition leaders – Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar and leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party – are said to have sought meetings with Dhankhar after his resignation but were unable to secure appointments. The Home Ministry has yet to comment on Raut’s letter.
Kapil Sharma’s Canada café attacked twice in a month after inviting Salman Khan to comedy show – industry body seeks Amit Shah’s intervention
Indian comedian Kapil Sharma has been placed under heightened security after his café in Canada came under gunfire for the second time in a month, allegedly by members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said. In an audio clip circulating online, gangster Goldy Dhillon, identified as a Bishnoi gang member, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out because of Sharma’s closeness to Bollywood actor Salman Khan. “In future, anyone working with Salman will face dire consequences. Next time, we will aim straight at the chest,” the message warned. Mumbai Police have stepped up surveillance around Sharma’s residence and are reviewing CCTV footage. The attackers have also reportedly threatened to strike in Mumbai. The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned the shootings, calling them a “premeditated attack on the dignity and freedom of India’s film industry” reminiscent of the 1990s, when Bollywood faced extortion threats and violence from underworld syndicates. “This is not just about Kapil’s café. Recent incidents targeting Salman Khan, Baba Siddique, and Saif Ali Khan point to an alarming pattern,” AICWA said in a Facebook post. “Such acts are designed to intimidate stars, erode their creative freedom, and deliberately weaken the backbone of Indian cinema.” The body urged Home Minister Amit Shah to take up the matter with the Canadian Prime Minister and ensure the safety of Indian citizens and celebrities abroad. It warned that the incidents were spreading fear among millions who depend on the film industry for their livelihood.
