Kolkata, July 8 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to convert its historic office at Muralidhar Sen Lane in north Kolkata into a museum dedicated to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, highlighting his life, contributions and political legacy.

A BJP leader said on Wednesday that the museum will house several items used by Syama Prasad Mookerjee — his chair, books, and other materials, including rare photographs and documents linked to his life and work. The premises at 6 Muralidhar Sen Lane hold significant historical importance for the BJP and its ideological predecessor, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Party leaders said the initiative aims to familiarise younger generations and the wider public with Mookerjee’s contributions to the idea of an integrated India, the reconstruction of West Bengal in the post-Independence era and the expansion of higher education through his association with the University of Calcutta.

The building, where Mookerjee once lived and conducted political activities, has been described as an important witness to Bengal’s political history.

The house was rented by Mookerjee in 1946 and subsequently became a centre of his political activities. After the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, the property served as its Kolkata office.

Following the BJP’s establishment in 1980, the premises continued to function as a key organisational centre for both the Jana Sangh legacy and the BJP in West Bengal. Several senior BJP leaders, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as veteran leader L.K. Advani, have visited the building over the years.

State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya said the decision to set up the museum was taken during the recent celebrations marking the 125th birth anniversary of Mookerjee. BJP state spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said the party’s central leadership, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and the state unit leadership are working on the project.

According to Sarkar, the museum will showcase several lesser-known aspects of Mookerjee’s life and political journey. It will also feature books written on him, information-rich archival material and rare photographs documenting his contributions.

At present, the BJP’s state headquarters functions from Salt Lake in Kolkata, while the old Muralidhar Sen Lane building is being used for organisational work of the party’s North Kolkata district unit. Party leaders expressed hope that the proposed museum would revive interest among veteran workers while also serving as an important historical and educational centre for visitors.

–IANS

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