Kolkata: From queuing with devotees and offering pujas at local temples to holding colourful campaigns and greeting passers-by, the first day of the Bengali New Year focused on Bangaliana, setting it apart from the usual election rallies and door-to-door campaigns.Trinamool Congress candidate from Tollygunge, Aroop Biswas, held a colourful rally wearing pajama-panjabi. People joining the rally carried traditional placards. Biswas was seen holding a fish on a decorated plate, conveying the message that Bengali sentiment is closely tied to these cultural symbols. “We are maachhe-bhaate Bangali (fish and rice make a Bengali). Today we eat fish; however, in BJP-ruled states, fishermen are being beaten up and fish is being thrown onto the streets. So, this is a form of protest, where local councillor Sandip Das and I were invited.”BJP candidates from all four north Kolkata constituencies — Tapas Roy from Maniktala, Prakash Ojha from Jorasanko, Purnima Chakraborty from Shyampukur, and Santosh Pathak from Chowringhee — held a roadshow after offering puja at Firingi Kalibari. Opposition leader and candidate from Bhowanipore and Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari led the rally. “Focusing on Bangaliana, the rally had elements such as dhak, Rabindrasangeet and Rabindranritya to welcome the Bengali New Year. We also paid honour to Swami Vivekananda and Netaji,” said north Kolkata district president Tamoghno Ghosh. Koustuv Bagchi also held a rally carrying a fish and chanting the slogan, “Kheye maach-bhaat ratdin — BJP ke vote din.”Shyampukur candidate Sashi Panja participated in a Baithaki adda at ward 19 as part of Poila Baisakh celebrations and campaigns. Interacting with voters, Panja stressed the pride of being a Bengali and the history and culture of Bengal. “When a child is born, he or she does not know in which soil, family or religion the child is taking birth. If there is no discrimination during birth, why will there be any discrimination afterwards?” Panja said.Most Left candidates held ‘Prabhat Pheri’ to mark the first day of the Bengali New Year. South Dum Dum candidate Mayukh Biswas held a rally — ‘Oikyer Poila’ — in his constituency to spread the message of unity. Minakshi Banerjee, the Left candidate from Uttarpara, greeted children by treating them to sweets.
