He was once called the king of Siliguri. But veteran communist leader Ashok Bhattacharya’s influence in the north Bengal city seems to be waning. This was evident in the thin crowd of supporters around him as he went about seeking votes for the seventh consecutive time. The sitting MLA has won all but one (2011) election from Siliguri since 1991.
Once a heavyweight minister in the Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee governments, Bhattacharya was seen as a development man who brought together the varied sections of the Siliguri population. The city is close to Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Tibet, and is seen as an important strategic point for India.
Wearing a plain shirt and crumpled trousers, Bhattacharya extended his hands to voters while campaigning. “Vote for our future. Do not vote emotionally,” he told them. The people smiled, but did not commit. The violence in the state has marred the flavour of the elections this time.
Bhattacharya, who has previously survived challenges from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress, is now on a sticky wicket because of the recent saffron surge. His confidant Sankar Ghosh has joined the BJP. An internal study by the BJP had found that it was Bhattacharya and not Mamata, who was its main challenge in Siliguri. And so, a coup was apparently arranged. Ghosh and several others switched to the BJP. He will now take on Bhattacharya.
Asked about this, an unflustered Bhattacharya said, “I am not at all worried about who has left me. I have groomed many others. If they desert me, it is their own problem. Mind my words, I will win this seat again.”
Bhattacharya is also known as the bridge between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the influential people in the state, including superstar actors and sports legends.
And so, apart from ideological differences with the Marxists, the BJP was reportedly more annoyed about Bhattacharya dissuading former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly from entering politics. Senior BJP leaders had been wooing the BCCI president to join their party. A confused Ganguly had reportedly reached out to Bhattacharya, who told him: “Politics should not be your cup of tea. As a player, you are loved by everyone. Do not split your fans on the basis of their political affiliations.” Ganguly has decided to stay away from politics for the time being.
Bhattacharya smiled when asked about it. He admitted that he had been in regular touch with Ganguly. “He is a Bengal cricket legend,” he said. “He fell ill. He is popular across Bengal, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Should I not give him a suggestion about entering politics?”
Did Ganguly call him when he decided to contest? “He called and wished me luck,” said Bhattacharya. “I have always maintained good relations with good people like Ganguly.”
Apparently, Bhattacharya has admirers in other sports, too. Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who contested against Bhattacharya in 2016, has wished him luck this time. Bhutia, who also contested and lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections on a Trinamool ticket, said, “There cannot be a better man than Ashok da. He is such a gentleman. He should win.”
Bhattacharya laughed when told about Bhutia’ statement. “Not only has Bhaichung decided to issue a statement supporting me,” he said, “but also he would love to campaign for me. I am extremely happy seeing his love for me.”
Though Bhattacharya is sure of his victory, the religious polarisation in Siliguri could spoil his chances. The constituency has around 30 per cent of non-Bengali voters, who are mostly Marwaris, Biharis, Gorkhas, Bhutias and Lepchas. The BJP has increased its vote share among this group since 2014. It has become more popular with the Bengalis, too. Given that the Trinamool would also be a key player in the fight to corner the Bengali vote, should Bhattacharya not be more worried? “I do not think so,” he said. “Religious polarisation would not work in Siliguri. Also, non-Bengalis and other ethnic groups like the Gorkhas like me as well.”
He said everyone should be alarmed over the recent killing of four people (Muslims) in police firing and a Rajbangshi man, reportedly by his political opponents, at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar. “Both the BJP and the TMC are playing the communal card,” he said. “They are not thinking of the region, which is very crucial for India’s integrity. Politicians need to be responsible, otherwise North Bengal will go the northeast way. I am happy that the Hindu-Muslim game will not work in Siliguri; demographically, it cannot be played here.”
Was this why he thought he would win? “You only look at the TMC and the BJP,” he said. “Do not fail to see the undercurrent in favour of the united front, which was seen in 1967 and 1969.”
One of the reasons for Bhattacharya’s confidence was his party’s forward-looking candidate list. “We have fielded young faces in a majority of the seats. They will be the future of our party,” he said.
Should the CPI(M) not have done this before? “You are right,” he said. “Perhaps things would have been different then.”
The BJP, meanwhile, is confident that its recent rise will see it through. “We will win Siliguri with a huge margin,” said BJP district president Praveen Agarwal. “In fact, we will win most seats in North Bengal. There is a wave in the BJP’s favour.”
The people of Siliguri, however, are non-committal. “Ashok babu has a chance, but this time no one can say who will win,” said Swapan Majumdar, a local trader. “The BJP is gaining ground each day. We are confused.”
He said people had suffered a lot during the pandemic. “Our hospitals lacked facilities,” he said. “Many people died without being treated. Business also suffered. So, a section of people in Siliguri would show their anger through voting.”
Sources said Mamata has been trying to woo Bhattacharya for the past few years. Perhaps seeing the rise of the BJP, she has scaled down her attack on Bhattacharya. But he rejected all such advances. Many people said that Mamata has put up a weak candidate—Jadavpur University professor Om Prakash Mishra—against Bhattacharya this time. Both the BJP and the CPI(M) have local candidates. The Trinamool, however, has denied that there was any such adjustment.