Bengal Votes
Bengal Votes News
Bengal Votes: Celeb culture key aspect of Mamata Banerjee's politics, WB CM tactfully uses it to draw voters and cull infighting
When Anik Dutta’s political satire Bhobishyoter Bhoot was yanked from theatres recently, none of the celebrity MPs and MLAs in Bengal came out in open support of their embattled colleague
Bengal Votes: In Basirhat, TMC banks on novice Nusrat Jahan, a Muslim without hardcore communal baggage, but lacks real connect with voters
In reality, Nusrat is every inch a star. She knows Basirhat but as a place where she's done stage shows. She knows how to wave to the crowds like a princess. She refers to them rather regally as 'my people'.
Bengal votes: BJP, TMC will spin Vidyasagar episode to suit their needs even as EC decides to end poll campaign early
TMC' strategy in West Bengal has been to pin BJP down as a trouble-making outside force, and now that the Vidyasagar statue vandalism incident has landed in Mamata Banerjee's lap, she will use it to drive the point home as forcefully as she can
Bengal votes: Youths in Asansol, Krishnanagar, Chinsurah struggling to find jobs view voting as obligation, say local politicos have no solution
Even those who dislike the Mamata Banerjee regime can see the improvements: roads, hospitals, streetlights. But when it boils down to their own future, they see little to be hopeful about, nationally or locally.
Bengal votes: Chinsurah locals show support for BJP, allege Mamata Banerjee indulged in minority appeasement
Chinsurah is a town with a storied history. It is on the river and used to be a Dutch colony.
Bengal Votes: In Krishnanagar, voters want jobs, not Ram Mandir; campaigns aren't about real issues, say youths, it's about Modi vs Mamata
In cities like Krishnanagar, the goal is a job and not a Ram Mandir. The bigger problem is young voters increasingly feel their real issues are not reflected in a campaign that in Bengal has largely become about Narendra Modi versus Mamata Banerjee.
Bengal votes: Asansol is beachhead of BJP's advance into state, but voters say CPM was better, 'didn't play Hindu-Muslim card'
Asansol with its Masjid, its Hanuman Mandir, and its Sacred Heart Church has become the beachhead for BJP's advance into Bengal. But the stakes are high this election. Suraj Singh, my Ola driver, predicts if Trinamool wins they will make life hell for all the local "BJP boys". The Babul Supriyo win is still a raw wound here for Trinamool.