Kolkata, Oct. 23 -- From bookstalls operating out of damaged structures to party workers selling books from makeshift arrangements, the CPI(M) continued its annual Puja book sales amid reports of vandalism across Bengal.

The party recorded book sales of around Rs 1.5 crore this year, its highest in recent years, according to party figures. The sales marked an increase of nearly 76 per cent from Rs 85-86 lakh last year.

The party set up nearly 1,000 stalls across the state, around 100 more than last year. Of these, 287 were reportedly vandalised, while 12-13 stalls were shut following attacks. Several others continued operating from vans and damaged structures. In some places, party workers were seen selling books even after their stalls had been broken.

From south Bengal to north Bengal, the party reported an increase in sales across several districts. In Kolkata, where the CPI(M) set up 119 stalls, sales rose from Rs 24 lakh last year to Rs 47 lakh this year. North 24 Parganas recorded nearly Rs 28 lakh, up from Rs 18.36 lakh, while Hooghly saw sales increase from Rs 7.71 lakh to Rs 13 lakh. In South 24-Parganas, sales rose from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 11.33 lakh.

Jadavpur recorded one of the sharpest increases, with sales reaching Rs 16.7 lakh till Dwadasi, October 23, compared with Rs 60,000 last year, according to the figures provided by the party. In north Bengal's Siliguri, sales climbed from Rs 15,000 in 2025 to Rs 68,000 this year. The upward trend extended to other districts as well. In East Burdwan, sales rose from Rs 1.74 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, while East Midnapore recorded an increase from Rs 1.08 lakh to Rs 2.36 lakh. West Burdwan reported sales of Rs 4 lakh this year.

CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty attributed the surge to public support, saying people could not tolerate books being thrown into garbage vehicles or stalls being demolished by bulldozers.

Meanwhile, CPI(ML) Liberation and SUCI also reported increased sales despite disruptions. The BJP said books worth over Rs 3 crore had been supplied to its 3,000-3,500 stalls during the Puja, but its final sales figures were not yet available.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.