CM tells Left parties to move book sales

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, that Left parties should sell books from party offices instead of at Durga Puja pandals.

Adhikari's reasoning on beliefs

The Chief Minister said those who do not believe in Durga Pujas should not sell books during the festival. He said the State has four thousand to five thousand party offices.

“Those who do not believe in Durga Pujas or any other Pujas, it is better that they should not be allowed to sell books during Durga Puja.”

Left book stalls attacked across State

Book stalls set up by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and SUCI (Communist) have been attacked in various parts of West Bengal including Kolkata.

Left supporters defend stall in Jadavpur

On October 17, supporters of Left parties formed a human chain to prevent a bulldozer from razing a temporary book stall in Kolkata's Jadavpur area.

High Court stays order allowing stalls

The Calcutta High Court refused to interfere in the CPI(M) case over removal of a temporary book stall in Jadavpur.A division bench led by Chief Justice R.V.

BJP leaders condemn vandalism

On October 19, RSS leader Jishnu Basu said there is no valour in vandalising book stalls. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said he cannot support what was happening. BJP president Samik Bhattacharya denied party involvement.

“there is no valour in vandalising book stalls”

Left parties allege crackdown on culture

West Bengal CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim said the books are just an excuse and the party in power has decided a crackdown on anything related to education and culture.

“the books are just an excuse the party in power has decided a crackdown on anything related to education and culture”

Adhikari says administration followed court orders

The Chief Minister said no one should take law into their own hands but all administration action was as per directions of the Calcutta High Court.