Mamata Banerjee’s Durga Angan Temple Push Sparks BJP Row Ahead of Bengal Polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stepped into the political spotlight once again after laying the foundation stone for Durga Angan, a grand cultural and temple complex dedicated to Goddess Durga in Kolkata’s New Town area. The move, coming just months ahead of the Assembly elections, has reignited a sharp political debate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Trinamool Congress chief of electoral symbolism and procedural lapses.

Addressing the gathering at the foundation ceremony, Banerjee strongly rejected allegations of “appeasement politics,” asserting that her governance philosophy is rooted in inclusive secularism. “I respect all religions and participate in their festivals because faith belongs to individuals, but festivals belong to everyone,” she said, underlining that cultural participation should not be confused with political favouritism.

The Durga Angan project, with an estimated cost of Rs 261.99 crore, is being developed on a 17.28-acre plot near Eco Park. According to the state government, the complex is envisioned as a tribute to Durga Puja’s recognition by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Banerjee described the initiative as a cultural landmark rather than a religious statement, arguing that Bengal’s identity is inseparable from its traditions.

“I am a true secularist. There is no religion whose celebrations I do not attend,” the Chief Minister said, adding that peaceful coexistence of faiths remains central to her politics. She also used the platform to voice concern over issues related to citizenship, language identity, and voting rights, claiming that Bengali-speaking citizens were increasingly being subjected to suspicion and discrimination.

However, the BJP wasted no time in attacking the project’s timing and execution. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the land earmarked for Durga Angan was originally meant for industrial development. He questioned the absence of tenders and work orders, accusing the state government of bypassing transparency norms. “Industry was driven away, and now this land is being used without due process,” he claimed, calling the initiative politically motivated.

Another BJP leader, Sishir Bajoria, suggested that the project reflected internal insecurities within the Trinamool Congress, asserting that the ruling party was facing growing dissent ahead of the polls.

Despite the criticism, the state government has outlined an ambitious blueprint for Durga Angan. The complex will feature 1,008 pillars, a 54-metre-high sanctum housing 108 idols of various deities, and a courtyard with seating for over 1,000 people. Additional structures will include temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Saraswati and Lakshmi, along with a prasad kitchen and a cultural museum. The project is being developed as a gold-certified green building, with extensive greenery, natural ventilation, and minimal air-conditioning.

A dedicated trust, headed by the state’s Chief Secretary, has been formed to oversee the management and maintenance of the complex.

As Bengal heads into an election year, Durga Angan has become more than just a cultural project. For Banerjee, it is a reaffirmation of Bengal’s cultural pride and her version of secular politics. For the BJP, it is a symbol of what it calls selective messaging and administrative opacity. The debate highlights how culture, faith and politics continue to intersect sharply in West Bengal’s electoral landscape.