Kolkata
West Bengal Minister Rejects Symbolic Reading of Nabanna Puja
Newly inducted West Bengal minister Bishal Lama performed a traditional puja before entering his office at Nabanna, a room previously occupied by former minister Partha Chatterjee, who was arrested in the school jobs scam case. Lama clarified that the ritual reflected his personal beliefs and was not linked to the room’s controversial history.
Newly appointed West Bengal minister Bishal Lama performed a puja on Friday before formally entering his designated office room at the state secretariat, Nabanna, drawing attention because the room had previously been occupied by former education minister Partha Chatterjee.
Chatterjee, once a senior leader in the state government, was arrested in connection with the West Bengal school jobs scam, a case that triggered widespread political controversy and investigations into alleged irregularities in recruitment processes.
However, Lama was quick to dismiss suggestions that the religious ritual was intended to symbolically cleanse the office of its past associations.
Speaking to reporters, the minister clarified that conducting a puja before assuming any new responsibility was a long-standing personal practice rooted in faith and tradition.
“Whenever I begin a new assignment, I perform a puja. It is part of my personal belief and should not be interpreted differently because of who occupied the room earlier,” he said.
The Kalchini MLA, who has been appointed as the Minister of State (MoS) for the Home and Hill Affairs Department, also holds charge as the MoS for the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.
Lama visited the first-floor office at Nabanna for the first time on Friday after taking oath as minister. The ceremony, attended by a few associates and staff members, was conducted before he began his official duties.
The development attracted public interest due to the office’s connection with Chatterjee, whose arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the recruitment scam case had dominated headlines and significantly impacted West Bengal’s political landscape.
Despite the symbolism attached to the room, Lama maintained that his focus remains on fulfilling his responsibilities and serving the people entrusted to his care.
Political observers noted that while religious rituals before assuming office are not uncommon in Indian public life, the timing and location of Lama’s puja inevitably drew attention because of the office’s recent history.
As he embarks on his ministerial responsibilities, Lama faces the task of managing key portfolios while navigating the heightened scrutiny that often accompanies political transitions in the state.
