Kolkata, 17 October (H.S.): Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in West Bengal on Saturday evening for a two-day visit to take part in the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations across the state, officials confirmed. This marks his first visit to the state during the festive season following the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal.

Arriving from Ahmedabad, the Home Minister landed at the Kolkata airport around 8:15 pm, where he was warmly received by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, and other senior party leaders. Shah will spend the night at a government guest house in South Kolkata's Alipore area.

According to his itinerary for Sunday, the Union Home Minister is scheduled to visit Belur Math, the global headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, at 10:45 am to witness the traditional Durga Puja rituals. Following this, he will attend the Deshbandhu Club Durga Puja in Bally, Howrah district, around 11:30 am.

BJP sources indicated that Shah will subsequently visit North Kolkata's iconic Sovabazar Rajbari to offer prayers at its historic, over 250-year-old traditional family puja. Later in the day, his schedule includes visits to the renowned Sreebhumi Sporting Club puja pandal in eastern Kolkata's Lake Town and the 24 Pally pandal in Chetla, located in the southern part of the city. After completing his pandal visits and engaging with citizens, the Union Home Minister will depart for New Delhi.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh