The Hindu : National : Warm response to Buddhadeb's roadshow

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Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011
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National

Warm response to Buddhadeb's roadshow

Ananya Dutta

— Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

VIBING WITH VOTER:West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee being greeted by supporters

KOLKATA: Conch shells, indispensable to every auspicious occasion in Bengal, rang out as the jeep entered the narrow lanes of the locality in Jadavpur, on the southern fringes of the city. The crowd of red flag bearers leading the open jeep and the slogan-chanting supporters following it swelled as the procession moved on: Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was in the thick of campaigning on Tuesday evening for the Assembly elections.

Mr. Bhattacharjee arrived at the venue, within his own constituency of Jadavpur, right on time.

Enthusiastic crowd

Flanked by local leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Mr. Bhattacharjee waved or folded his hands in greeting as people gathered in the streets or in the balconies of their homes. Some smiled or waved back, while others showered petals — on one occasion he had to remove his glasses to shed those sticking to the lens.

With restrictions on the use of microphones, supporters chanted at the top of their voice — “Ekey ekey egaroh, Bam Front ebaroh (one and one make eleven, Left Front will return again)” and “Padaye padaye vote pabe kara? Kaste hatudi tara! (Who will win votes in every locality? The hammer, sickle and star!).”

This was a very personal affair. As they approached every household, those leading the procession called out to residents inside, “didi [elder sister], you have to walk with us.” And often their didis obliged.

People reached out from the balconies and streets either to shake Mr. Bhattcharjee's hands or capture images on their mobiles. From the balconies the white jeep stood out amid a sea of red panama hats and caps and party flags of all sizes.

“Who would have thought that the Chief Minister would drive through the lanes in front of my house,” said Gouri Das, ecstatic to have seen Mr. Bhattacharjee at her doorstep.

Not all were as lucky though. “I did not get to see his face. He was waving out in the other direction when the procession passed by,” said 85-year-old Nilima Das, who has been voting for the Left Front from ever since she can remember.

Brief halt

Every now and then there was a brief halt in the procession as an avid supporter wanted to present a bouquet to Mr. Bhattacharjee. A brief exchange – a pledge of support, a word of gratitude – and the parade was back on course.

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