Pranab to don a priest's mantle during Durga Puja

SURI: Far from the hurly-burly of politics, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee plays another role at this time of the year -- a priest worshipping Goddess Durga.

Mukherjee worships the Goddess at Miriti, his ancestral village near Kirnahar in Birbhum district, 200 km from Kolkata.

"The puja is around 100 years old. Pranab's grandfather late Jangaleswar Mukherjee started the puja," said Goutam Roy, who has been looking after puja arrangements for the last couple of years.

"After him, Kamadakinkar Mukherjee, father of Pranab Mukherjee continued it. Pranab babu does the same," he said.

Mukherjee himself performs the puja on Mahastami puja, the second day of the four day festival, with thousands of people including villagers, party workers, family members visiting Miriti.

Like previous years this year too, Mukherjee is scheduled to reach his home at Miriti, a hamlet near Kirnahar for worshipping the goddess. Last year Mukherjee flew to the Panagarh air base and drove down to Kirnahar.

Asked about Mukherjee's visit, District Magistrate, Bisweswar Maity, said, "He has Z category security. We have made the required arrangements."

Superintendent of Police, Rabindranath Mukherjee, said, "So far we have not received any special instruction. Our officers keep watch at ground level. They keep contact with family members of the minister."