A DIFFERENT LEAGUE

SWAPAN DASGUPTA, 65 (BJP)

CONSTITUENCY: Tarakeswar

MAIN RIVAL: Ramendu Sinha Roy (TMC)

“ West Bengal is being over-politicised. I hope to see an end to divisive politics ”

BACKGROUND: Right-leaning politician, noted journalist and author. A nominated Rajya Sabha member of the BJP, Dasgupta quit the Upper House recently to officially join the party and contest the assembly election. In 2015, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to literature and education. He earned a doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and was a research fellow at Oxford University.

CAMPAIGN STYLE: In sync with the atmosphere of the temple town of Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, Dasgupta mostly sports shades of saffron on the campaign trail. People greet him with saffron and yellow marigold garlands and sandalwood tilak. Accompanying party workers blow conch shells and chant ‘JaiShriRam’ and ‘JoiBaba Tarakeswar’ as Dasgupta goes temple hopping and interacts with voters about the BJP’s road map to ‘ashol poriborton (real change)’.

PROMISES: Upgrading the civic infrastructure of Tarakeswar.

AISHE GHOSH, 25 (CPI-M)

CONSTITUENCY: Jamuria

MAIN RIVALS: Tapas Roy (BJP), Hareram Singh (TMC)

The entire nation is looking at Bengal. The election results will determine the strategy for UP