A grand wedding reception for Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra and former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pinaki Misra was held in Bolpur, West Bengal, on Saturday — nearly six months after their marriage in Berlin. However, the event drew political controversy after allegations surfaced regarding the use of public space and disruption of civic services for the celebration.
BJP leader alleges misuse of public ground
Krishanu Singha, Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Bolpur, took to social media platform X to claim that the Karimpur bus stand was closed from 3 pm on Saturday to accommodate VIP movement for the wedding reception.
“Karimpur will practically come to a standstill today,” Singha wrote, alleging that over 8,000 guests had been invited to the dinner party. He further stated that the catering team had arrived from Berhampur in two buses.
Singha also shared an image of the wedding invitation card, which mentioned the venue as the Karimpur Regulate Market Football Ground. “The entire ground has been wrapped with pandals and lighting at a cost of crores. Very good — everyone has the right to rejoice,” he added, in a post laced with sarcasm.
Political backlash over venue choice
The BJP leader raised objections to the choice of venue, pointing out that in recent years, local authorities had denied permission to hold religious and cultural programmes such as Hindu kirtans and Baul fairs at the same ground.
“For the past few years, the ground authorities have not given permission for any religious events. How can the administration now provide the same field — which is not allowed for public use — for the wedding of an MP? Why is bus service being disrupted for the wedding of an MP?” Singha questioned.
The post quickly went viral, sparking a heated debate over preferential treatment for political figures. One social media user commented, “Ah, so the ground isn’t holy enough for kirtan but perfect for a ‘kirtan of power’. Truly, secularism shines brightest under wedding lights worth crores!”
Celebration draws elite gathering
According to local sources, the reception was a lavish affair attended by several political figures, industrialists, and cultural personalities from Bengal and Odisha. The event featured elaborate lighting, decorations, and a multi-course dinner prepared by a catering team from Berhampur.
Security arrangements were reportedly tight, with traffic diversions and restrictions near the venue. However, local authorities have not yet responded to the allegations of disruption or unauthorised use of public facilities.
A transnational love story
Mahua Moitra, 51, and Pinaki Misra, 64, tied the knot in a private ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on May 30 this year. The marriage — Moitra’s second — came as a surprise to many in political circles. Moitra was earlier married to Danish financier Lars Brorsen.
Misra, a senior advocate and former BJD MP from Puri, retired from active politics earlier this year. Moitra, known for her fiery speeches in Parliament and outspoken criticism of the BJP, continues to be one of the most prominent faces of the Trinamool Congress at the national level.
Controversy overshadows celebration
While the couple’s reception was intended to be a joyous occasion, the political row surrounding the venue and alleged administrative bias has overshadowed the festivities. Opposition leaders have called for transparency on how permissions were granted and whether civic amenities were compromised for a private event.
As of now, the local administration has not issued any formal statement. The controversy has, however, reignited discussions on the use of public resources for political or personal purposes — an issue that has long drawn public criticism in West Bengal’s political landscape.