Howrah: Ganesh Puja Pandal Ignites BJP-Trinamool Row, CPI(M) Offices Vandalised
Howrah district became a flashpoint for political tensions in September 2026 as a Ganesh Puja pandal depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing tea with Lord Ganesha ignited a war of words between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. Separately, several CPI(M) offices in the district were vandalised, deepening the political unrest in the industrial city across the Hooghly River from Kolkata.
🪔 A Pandal That Put Politics on the Puja Stage
A Ganesh Puja pandal in Howrah drew widespread attention this week after its organisers installed a tableau depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lord Ganesha sitting together and sharing tea. The installation, reported by Deccan Chronicle, created a striking visual blending the popular image of Modi as a tea vendor turned statesman with the divine figure of the elephant-headed god revered across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bengal. The pandal theme was seen by many observers as a gesture of political reverence, coinciding with the BJP outreach in Bengal ahead of future state elections. The depiction attracted large crowds of visitors eager to photograph the unusual tableau. Festival organisers did not publicly comment on the political overtones, presenting the display as a creative tribute. The image of the two figures sharing chai became a widely circulated social media moment in West Bengal, fuelling debate about the intersection of religious celebrations and political messaging. Deccan Chronicle described the pandal as a notable landmark among this year's Howrah Ganesh Puja sites and noted the installation generated both admiration and controversy in equal measure. [3]
🗳️ Trinamool and BJP Trade Charges Over Ganesh Puja Display
The Howrah Ganesh Puja pandal featuring a PM Modi statue alongside a Lord Ganesha idol quickly became a flashpoint between the BJP and Trinamool Congress, as reported by India Today. Trinamool leaders condemned what they described as the political appropriation of a religious festival, accusing the BJP of using sacred community spaces to project partisan imagery ahead of state elections. BJP spokespeople rejected the criticism, arguing that the pandal was an expression of admiration by independent organisers and defended the display as a legitimate form of cultural participation. The row reflected the broader political contest over West Bengal, where the BJP has invested heavily in establishing a presence in areas historically dominated by the Trinamool Congress and Left parties. India Today noted that the incident added another layer to the ongoing friction between the two parties in the state, with both sides using the controversy to appeal to their respective voter bases. The back-and-forth received national media attention, highlighting how festival celebrations in Howrah have become arenas for political competition in the run-up to the next state election cycle. [4]
🗳️ CPI(M) Offices Vandalised Amid Escalating Political Tensions
Several offices of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were vandalised across Howrah district in mid-September 2026, according to The Assam Tribune citing IANS. The CPI(M) pointed to BJP workers as being responsible for the attacks, alleging that the vandalism was part of a broader campaign of intimidation against left-wing political infrastructure in the district. The BJP categorically rejected all allegations, denying any involvement by its members and calling the charges politically motivated. Police were reportedly deployed to affected areas to prevent further incidents. The vandalism came as political rivalries in West Bengal intensified, with the BJP, the Trinamool Congress, and the remnants of the Left Front all competing for influence in the state. Howrah, as an industrial and densely populated district bordering Kolkata, has historically been a contested zone between these parties. The Assam Tribune reported that the CPI(M) planned to file formal complaints with local authorities and called on the state government to take action against those responsible for the destruction of party property. [1]
West Bengal Assembly Passes Delimitation Bills for Howrah and Kolkata Corporations
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed bills providing for the delimitation of wards within both the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the Howrah Municipal Corporation, according to The Hindu. The legislation marks a significant step in reorganising the civic boundaries of Howrah, which is among the most populous municipal areas in the state and faces growing administrative complexity as its population and urban footprint expand. Delimitation exercises are intended to ensure more equitable representation in local self-governance by adjusting ward boundaries to reflect current population distribution. Opposition parties raised concerns about the process and the manner in which ward boundaries had been proposed, but the ruling Trinamool Congress government commanded sufficient numbers to pass the bills. The move is expected to have implications for local elections in Howrah, as redrawn ward boundaries can alter the balance of representation in the municipal body. The Hindu reported that the passage of these bills would set the stage for updated electoral rolls and redefined constituencies across both corporations. [9]
🤝 Train Services Disrupted After Heavy Rain Causes Soil Erosion on Howrah-Malda Line
Train services on the Eastern Railway Howrah-Malda division in West Bengal were disrupted after heavy rainfall led to soil erosion beneath railway tracks, DD News reported. The erosion forced railway authorities to suspend or delay services on affected sections as engineers assessed the structural integrity of the track bed and organised repair work. Soil erosion beneath rail tracks is a recurring challenge in Bengal during the monsoon season, when sustained rainfall saturates embankments and weakens the ground supporting the tracks. The Howrah-Malda corridor is an important rail artery linking the industrial hub of Howrah with the northern districts of West Bengal and beyond, carrying both passenger and freight traffic. Disruptions on this route inconvenienced commuters and goods transporters who depend on the rail network. DD News reported that Eastern Railway officials were working to restore normal service as quickly as possible, while warning passengers to check for schedule updates before travelling on affected lines in the division. [10]
Sources: [3] Deccan Chronicle · [4] India Today · [1] The Assam Tribune · [9] The Hindu · [10] DD News