Kolkata: Political gimmickry is a trick that all parties resort to, especially ahead of elections.
With four-five months to go for assembly polls in West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters — by showing concern for them and bad-mouthing each other.
Five days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah had lunch at folksinger Basudeb Das Baul’s house in Bolpur, the latter said that Shah and other BJP leaders didn’t even listen to his problems.
Talking to Odisha Bytes, Basudeb said that he wanted to apprise Shah about the hardships that folksingers are facing, but the BJP leaders didn’t have the time. He informed that his personal problem has been addressed by Anubrata Mandal, TMC heavyweight leader of Birbhum district.
“My daughter is sitting idle after completing her MA. She wishes to do her B. Ed, but due to lack of funds I am unable to support her further education. I wanted to speak on this issue with Amit Shah and other leaders,” Basudeb said.
“They heard my song and had lunch but didn’t bother to speak with me and my family. Due to the ongoing pandemic, our community is facing several hardships. The Rs 1000 subsidy that is given by the TMC government is not sufficient. Anubrata Mandal not just took charge of my daughter’s education, but assured us of all other help,” said a weeping Basudeb.
State BJP leaders rubbished Basudeb’s claim, arguing that the leaders of saffron camp were pressed for time as the roadshow was to follow after that.
Mandal took the opportunity to show TMC in good light, saying that chief minister Mamata Banerjee had started the baul subsidy as they haven’t earned the entire year.
“The BJP always resorts to drama and never works for the people. From farm laws to NRC, all their schemes are devilish. I tried to stand by Basudeb and hope we (TMC) can lift the status of not just the baul community but for every common person. People still back the TMC supremo and the road show of the CM on December 29 will see more people than the crowd at Amit Shah’s rally,” claimed Mandal.
Terming the BJP as ‘outsiders’, Mandal said that the BJP is not aware of Bengal and Bengali culture and just saying a word or two doesn’t change anything.
“The country will see what Bengali culture is during the CM’s road show. From blowing of conches to traditional folk song and dance, Didi’s rally will see people of Bengal gathering in Bolpur,” said Mandal.
