In a significant political and cultural development, Kolkata's Maniktala BJP MLA and minister Tapas Roy has been appointed as the chairman of the prestigious Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja committee. This move is seen as a strategic expansion of the BJP's footprint in the city's Durga Puja circuit, particularly amid a realignment of clubs following the political transition in West Bengal.
Appointment Welcomed by Committee
Surendra Kumar Sharma, the general secretary of the puja committee, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. "Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja stands as a symbol of creativity, cultural excellence and community spirit. As we prepare to celebrate our 58th year, we are delighted to welcome Tapas Roy as our chairman. His leadership, vision and commitment to public service will further strengthen our efforts to deliver an enriching and memorable Durga Puja. We look forward to creating a celebration that not only showcases artistic brilliance but also reflects the values of inclusivity, harmony and social responsibility that define our puja," Sharma said.
Broader Political Shift
Roy's appointment is part of a larger trend where many Durga Puja organisers are reaching out to representatives of the new state government, aiming to bring BJP functionaries into key roles ahead of this year's festivities. Notably, Sajal Ghosh, the BJP MLA from Baranagar, already heads a major crowd-puller at Santosh Mitra Square. With Roy now taking charge of one of north Kolkata's most recognised pujas, the party in office is likely to gain greater visibility in an arena that has long mirrored the state's prevailing political currents.
Revival Hopes for a Historic Puja
The shift was evident last month when the Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja committee felicitated the new BJP legislators, including Roy, at an event attended by puja organisers and residents. For the committee, which will celebrate its 58th year, Roy's appointment is also tied to hopes of reviving a puja that was once among the city's biggest attractions, drawing massive crowds for its elaborate themes and grand installations. However, a cave-in at the park—beneath which lies a massive, brick-lined, underground British-era reservoir—seven years ago rendered a large section of the space unsafe, forcing organisers to restrict celebrations to a smaller area and reduce the scale of festivities. During renovation work, the puja was even shifted out of the park for a couple of weeks.
At last month's felicitation programme, Roy remarked, "I have a very old association with the Mohammad Ali Park puja. I was involved with it when I lived in the area and had many friends in the organising committee. Nothing substantial was done earlier, but now that our government is in office, we will make every effort to ensure the park is repaired so that the puja can be organised as before."
Cultural and Economic Significance
Durga Puja has evolved into one of Bengal's largest cultural and economic events, attracting corporate sponsorship, tourism and international attention. The festival received global recognition in 2021 when it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. "To organise a puja at such a scale, we need all the help and guidance from the state government," said the head of a Durga Puja committee in south Kolkata.
