Now Reading: Amit Shah to open Mahalaya at Eden Gardens, not PM Modi
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Amit Shah to open Mahalaya at Eden Gardens, not PM Modi
Union home minister Amit Shah will attend the Mahalaya celebrations at Eden Gardens on 10 October, a senior Nabanna official told Times of India. This ends speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would grace the event. The state government had invited PM Modi but received no confirmation from his office.
The Indian Express reported on 26 September that preparations were underway to welcome PM Modi, who would open the grand celebration of Durga Puja. The two outlets disagree on who will attend. Both report that 6,000 artists, 3,000 dhakis, a laser show, drone show and fireworks are planned. Shah may inaugurate five pujas including Sreebhumi Sporting and Suruchi Sangha. A roadshow with CM Suvendu Adhikari will precede the event, which will be telecast live at 35 locations.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Indian Express and Times of India differ on the chief guest for the 10 October Eden Gardens event. Indian Express reported PM Modi would open the celebration, based on unnamed sources and preparations described as in full swing. Times of India reports, citing a senior Nabanna official, that home minister Amit Shah will attend instead, as no confirmation came from the PM's office. The Indian Express story predates the Times of India report by a week, and the confirmed schedule appears to have changed. Both outlets agree on the cultural programme's scale, the five pujas, and the presence of CM Adhikari. The key unresolved question is whether PM Modi will make any appearance or whether the event is now definitively Shah's.
The Times of India report, published later, carries the confirmed plan and is the more definitive account.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): indianexpress.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
