BJP-themed rakhis with Modi, Adhikari pictures surge in East Medinipur
Synopsis
West Bengal's political realignment has reached the rakhi market. In Kanthi, East Medinipur — Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's home turf — BJP-themed rakhis featuring Modi, Adhikari, and Yogi Adityanath are outselling conventional ones ahead of Raksha Bandhan, at just ₹10–20 apiece. It is a street-level signal of how the BJP's state election win is reshaping even cultural traditions in the region.
Key Takeaways
Shopkeepers in Kanthi, East Medinipur report a surge in demand for rakhis featuring PM Narendra Modi , CM Suvendu Adhikari , and Yogi Adityanath ahead of Raksha Bandhan on 28 August .
The politically themed rakhis are priced at ₹10 to ₹20 , making them widely accessible.
Shopkeeper Bijan Shahoo noted overall rakhi sales are subdued due to flash floods in Nepal , but BJP-themed varieties are outperforming.
Demand is coming from both Kanthi town residents and buyers from surrounding gram panchayats and blocks .
Traders link the spike directly to the BJP's victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier in 2025.
A day before Raksha Bandhan 2025, shopkeepers in Kanthi, East Medinipur district of West Bengal, reported a sharp rise in demand for rakhis featuring the images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) symbol. Traders attribute the surge directly to the BJP's victory in the state Assembly elections earlier this year.
What Shopkeepers Are Seeing
Shopkeeper Bijan Shahoo noted that while overall rakhi sales have been subdued this season — partly due to flash floods in Nepal disrupting supply chains — the politically themed varieties are bucking the trend. 'Those carrying the pictures of PM Modi, CM Suvendu da, Yogi ji and the BJP's symbol, are witnessing increased demand,' Shahoo said. These rakhis are priced accessibly at ₹10 to ₹20 each, making them widely affordable.
Political Shift Reflected in Festival Markets
Another shopkeeper, Milan Debnath, echoed the sentiment, saying that since the Suvendu Adhikari-led government came to power, 'the saffron-themed rakhis are being demanded more by customers.' Notably, the shops near the Post Office crossing in Kanthi — located close to Chief Minister Adhikari's residence — have stacked rows of these rakhis on prominent display, drawing steady footfall from both city residents and buyers from surrounding gram panchayats and blocks.
Reach Beyond Kanthi Town
The demand is not confined to Kanthi's main markets. Buyers from rural pockets across the East Medinipur region are reportedly travelling specifically to purchase rakhis bearing Chief Minister Adhikari's image. Shopkeepers described sales figures as 'notably impressive,' though no specific volume data was provided. The trend underscores how shifting political allegiances in West Bengal are now finding expression even in cultural and religious traditions.
Context: Raksha Bandhan 2025
This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on 28 August, the festival that celebrates the bond of love and protection between siblings. The BJP's consolidation in West Bengal — a state long dominated by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) — has energised party supporters, with the festival providing a visible, grassroots outlet for that sentiment. This is the first Raksha Bandhan since the party's state election win, making the political-themed rakhi trend a notable first for the region.
Point of View
Not just ballot boxes. That BJP-themed rakhis are outperforming in East Medinipur — Adhikari's own constituency — is unsurprising, but the rural reach reported by shopkeepers suggests the party's grassroots consolidation is deeper than urban optics alone. The more interesting question is whether this enthusiasm translates into durable organisational presence, or remains a festival-season spike. TMC's long grip on Bengal was built on exactly that kind of local cultural embeddedness — the BJP will need more than a festive moment to match it.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are BJP-themed rakhis in demand in East Medinipur this Raksha Bandhan?
Shopkeepers in Kanthi, East Medinipur, say the surge in demand for rakhis featuring PM Modi, CM Suvendu Adhikari, and Yogi Adityanath is directly linked to the BJP's victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier in 2025. This is the first Raksha Bandhan since that win, and party supporters are marking the occasion with politically themed rakhis.
How much do the BJP-themed rakhis cost?
The politically themed rakhis featuring BJP leaders are priced at ₹10 to ₹20 each, according to shopkeeper Bijan Shahoo. The low price point has made them widely accessible to buyers from both Kanthi town and surrounding rural areas.
Where in West Bengal are these rakhis being sold?
The rakhis are prominently on sale in Kanthi (also spelled Kathi), the main town of East Medinipur district. Shops near the Post Office crossing in Kanthi — close to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's residence — are among the key retail points, with buyers also arriving from nearby gram panchayats and blocks.
Are overall rakhi sales up in East Medinipur this year?
Not entirely. Shopkeeper Bijan Shahoo said overall rakhi sales have been below expectations this season, partly due to flash floods in Nepal affecting supply. However, BJP-themed rakhis are an exception, recording notably strong sales despite the broader slowdown.
When is Raksha Bandhan in 2025?
Raksha Bandhan in 2025 falls on 28 August. The festival celebrates the bond of love and protection between siblings and is widely observed across India.
