Mamata Banerjee’s temple projects in West Bengal spark political debate ahead of Assembly elections, as critics view the religious push as a strategic move to counter BJP narratives, recalibrate minority appeasement perceptions, and reshape voter alliances statewide.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent emphasis on large-scale religious and cultural infrastructure projects has triggered intense political speculation ahead of the next state Assembly elections. Her foundation-stone laying ceremony for a massive Mahakal temple complex in Siliguri has been widely interpreted as a strategic attempt to recalibrate her political image, particularly in response to long-standing accusations of minority appeasement.
For years, Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party have faced criticism from political opponents, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for allegedly prioritising welfare schemes and protections that disproportionately benefited the Muslim community. With Muslims accounting for over 30 per cent of West Bengal’s electorate, the BJP has repeatedly accused the TMC of vote-bank politics and selective governance.
Against this backdrop, the sudden visibility of high-profile Hindu religious projects has drawn attention across political and social circles. The Mahakal temple complex in Siliguri, strategically located in north Bengal, is particularly significant. The region has increasingly emerged as a political battleground where the BJP has made steady electoral gains, challenging the TMC’s traditional dominance.
Observers note that the Mahakal project is not an isolated initiative. Earlier, the state government completed the Jagannath Temple at Digha in Purba Medinipur district, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. The sprawling complex has been promoted as a major spiritual and tourism hub, designed to host large-scale religious gatherings and festivals such as Rath Yatra and Pushpa Abhishek. The project has been projected as both a religious landmark and an economic driver aimed at boosting tourism revenue.
Towards the end of 2025, Banerjee also laid the foundation stone for the Durga Angan project in Kolkata, estimated to cost Rs 262 crore. According to the Chief Minister, the project is intended as a tribute to UNESCO’s recognition of Durga Puja as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Spread over 17 acres, the Durga Angan complex is planned to include temples, museums, exhibition spaces, and cultural zones celebrating Bengali art, craft, and community traditions.
Administratively supported as part of West Bengal’s cultural infrastructure, Durga Angan is expected to provide a permanent platform for artisans, encourage cultural tourism, and offer residents a civic venue for festivals and social gatherings. Supporters argue that such projects strengthen cultural identity while contributing to local economic growth.
In parallel, the state government has also significantly increased financial grants to Durga Puja committees. Earlier in 2025, Banerjee announced that grants for approximately 40,000 organisers would be raised from Rs 85,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh each, alongside waivers on taxes and service charges. Critics, however, view these moves as politically timed gestures aimed at consolidating Hindu sentiment before elections.
Beyond temples and festivals, infrastructure projects with religious significance have also gained prominence. The proposed Gangasagar Bridge, while primarily a connectivity initiative, carries deep religious undertones as it aims to ease access for pilgrims visiting the sacred Gangasagar site. Such projects further blur the line between development and religious symbolism.
The political narrative has become more complex with the sudden announcement by former TMC MLA Humayun Kabir to construct a multi-crore replica of the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. Kabir’s public assertion that he intends to play a decisive role in the post-election political scenario has fuelled speculation about behind-the-scenes political understandings, though no concrete evidence has emerged.
Some analysts believe Banerjee’s apparent restraint in responding aggressively to Kabir’s move has added to the intrigue. While she has accused the BJP of encouraging Kabir to challenge the TMC in Muslim-dominated constituencies, the lack of administrative pushback has raised questions about possible tactical calculations.
Political observers describe Banerjee’s current strategy as a high-risk balancing act. On one hand, her renewed focus on Hindu religious and cultural projects may help counter the BJP’s Hindutva narrative and soften perceptions of minority appeasement. On the other hand, there is a risk of alienating sections of her traditional support base, with Muslims potentially feeling taken for granted and Hindu voters questioning the sincerity of her outreach.
| Also Read: Biplab Deb showcases people-centric devt, criticises TMC rule |
As West Bengal moves closer to the Assembly elections, these religious and cultural initiatives are increasingly being viewed not merely as development projects, but as instruments of political messaging. Whether Mamata Banerjee’s attempt at religious realignment will translate into electoral advantage or disrupt existing vote coalitions remains one of the most closely watched questions in the state’s evolving political landscape.
