The Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to hold its oath-taking ceremony at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground on May 9 carries a political message rooted in history and symbolism, reflecting a change of guard in the state. The carefully chosen venue is a symbol of political churning and transformation in Bengal for over a century.
Historical Significance of Brigade Parade Ground
The Brigade Parade Ground, also known as the Maidan, set against the backdrop of Victoria Memorial Hall and Shahid Minar, remains Kolkata's most prominent site for mass gatherings. Often volatile and violent, it has been a venue for displays of power. It hosted Soviet leaders Nikita Khrushchev and Nikolai Bulganin in 1955, and major political addresses by Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the formation of Bangladesh. Former South African President Nelson Mandela made a historic speech at Eden Gardens in 1990, while Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addressed a Brigade rally in 2005.
Shift in Political Power
From the early 1980s, the ground became closely associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which held massive annual rallies there. However, since 2011, the Trinamool Congress shifted its political centre of gravity from Brigade and held its July 21 Martyrs' Day rally at Dharmatala. In 2016, Trinamool held its swearing-in at the Brigade, but moved to Raj Bhavan five years later. It held no important rally at the Brigade afterward, leaving it open for the BJP, then the main opposition, to move in. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's March 14 rally at the venue marked the beginning of the party's 'Paribartan Yatra'. At this rally, the BJP launched its campaign as a 'declaration of the people's will for change'.
Political Symbolism
Observers believe the BJP's choice of the Brigade ground as the oath-taking venue is an attempt to capture the heart of Bengal politics. The ground offers a much larger space to house massive crowds, making it a show of strength and support, said sociologist Prashanta Ray. 'The Left started protest rallies in the 1950s at Wellington Square. Being a cramped space, they moved to Brigade. The CPM used it for many years, and the sea of people at its rallies served as a regular reminder of them being the most powerful. When they formed the government, it became a seat of political muscle-flexing never seen in Bengal politics until then. The BJP's decision to use it for oath-taking is prompted by the need to identify themselves with the most powerful imagery of Bengal politics,' Ray said.
Recent Events at Brigade
A few months ago, a large-scale Gita recitation was held at the Brigade by Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad, attended by religious leaders and BJP figures. The latter called for 'a Hindu nation' and signalled the BJP's foray into the Maidan during the election season. The programme took place just a day after Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad.
Continuation of Political Tradition
Bengal BJP functionaries on Wednesday said the swearing-in at the Brigade would be a continuation of a political tradition. 'Historically, Brigade has been part of major political developments in Bengal,' said Bengal BJP leader Shishir Bajoria.
