In a remarkable first for West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee government has heralded April 17th as a public holiday to celebrate Ram Navami. According to reports released on Saturday, this decision marks a significant cultural addition amidst the state’s grand celebrations of Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Saraswati Puja.
While many other festivals have been public holidays, Ram Navami was not recognized as such in Bengal until now. The timing of the government’s announcement, coinciding with election year, is seen as a strategic move.
Praise for Mamata Banerjee: Sharad Pawar lauds West Bengal CM, says PM Modi should take pride in her.
The BJP IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, has taken a swipe at Mamata Banerjee's announcement, suggesting that it was done to capitalize on her perceived anti-Hindu image, but remarks that it may be too late. He warned on social media platform X that ensuring the safety of the Ram Navami processions is paramount, ending his statement with 'Jai Shri Ram'.
Mamata's Rally in Kolkata:
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to launch its Lok Sabha election campaign with a massive rally at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground on Sunday. Aimed at galvanizing supporters, the rally is expected to draw a crowd between six to eight lakh people, showcasing Banerjee's mobilization prowess.
TMC seats reduced in 2019
The Brigade Parade Ground, a site steeped in history tracing back to the British colonial era, is about to witness TMC's first major rally since the opposition meet in January 2019. Despite a strong grassroots organization, TMC's seat count in the state dropped from 34 to 22 in 2019 while BJP made significant strides with 18 seats.
