Why Did Two Suspended TMC Youth Leaders Attend the Durga Puja Pandal Inaugurated by HM Shah?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Unexpected Political Attendance: The presence of suspended leaders raises eyebrows about political motives.
- Community and Politics: The intertwining of community events and political affiliations is evident.
- Personal Relationships: Personal ties complicate the political narrative.
- Tensions with Police: Ongoing rifts between police and event organizers impact public perception.
- Social Media Influence: Digital platforms significantly shape political discourse and party dynamics.
Kolkata, Sep 29 (NationPress) The unexpected appearance of two suspended Trinamool Congress youth leaders at the Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja Pandal, which was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah last week, has ignited new conjectures within the political landscape of West Bengal.
This situation has gained additional political weight due to recent tensions between the Kolkata Police and the main organizer of the Santosh Mitra Square Puja, Sajal Ghosh, a BJP councillor with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Ghosh has accused the city police of exerting efforts to diminish attendance at the pandal.
The presence of suspended youth leaders Rajanya Haldar and Prantik Chakraborty has led to questions about whether their attendance was merely a social visit or an indication of deeper political discussions ahead.
Both leaders were suspended from their party positions in September of the previous year after they released a short film on social media, related to the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in August.
As social media discussions surrounding the film began to create significant issues for the Trinamool Congress, both were removed from their roles—Chakraborty as vice-president of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) and Haldar as vice-president of the TMCP’s Jadavpur-Diamond Harbour district committee in South 24 Parganas.
Furthermore, following the rape of a law student at her college in Kasba, South Kolkata, Halder publicly criticized certain TMCP leaders for the exploitation of younger women activists within the party.
In response to the recent developments, BJP leader Sajal Ghosh remarked that Halder is like a younger sister to him, emphasizing the personal nature of their relationship. He stated, "There is no need to politicize everything. This is a time for celebration, not for political calculations."
Halder echoed this sentiment, asserting that she regards Ghosh as her elder brother and mentioned that the emotional issue of 'Operation Sindoor' resonates with her as an Indian.
Chakraborty also denied any political motives behind his visit, questioning the appropriateness of having a cut-out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Santosh Mitra Square while many pandals display images of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He urged against politicizing the visit.