Kharagpur witnessed a transformed Dilip Ghosh on polling day, as the former state BJP president sought a second term as MLA after a five-year gap. Breaking away from his trademark 'rough and tough' image, Ghosh conducted his campaign in a quiet and courteous manner, surprising many.
A Moment of Political Civility
On Thursday, Ghosh displayed what he called 'courtesy politics,' aided by his TMC opponent, former MLA Pradip Sarkar. Around 4:30 pm in the congested lanes of Ward 5, Ghosh exited booths 72 and 73 and crossed paths with Sarkar, who was on a motorcycle. The rivals shared a smile and a handshake. 'This is our brand of politics, and this is what we want to see across Bengal,' Ghosh said, with Sarkar by his side. Sarkar echoed, 'The people will vote for whom they prefer. It is a simple matter.'
The interaction highlighted their long-standing personal acquaintance. Ghosh noted they worked together for 10 years despite differing party affiliations. While this moment kept the election cordial, the candidates adopted vastly different strategies on the ground.
Ghosh's Low-Key Approach
Ghosh began his day with an early morning walk and voting at Serosa Stadium before settling into the war room at his bungalow. 'I don't need to prove I belong to Kharagpur any more than a Bengali needs to prove he eats fish and rice,' he quipped. Emphasizing that he has made Kharagpur his home for eight years, his public appearances were brief, including a breakfast of idli and sambar-vada at Dhobi Ghat and a minor exchange of snacks and chocolates with booth workers.
Sarkar's Ground Game
Sarkar crisscrossed his constituency throughout the day, personally monitoring booths despite the heat, covering both old and newer blocks of the city. 'It is BJP that has to answer. People will not forget the damages inflicted by SIR,' he said.
Complaints and Turnout
The BJP lodged 17 complaints with the Election Commission, while the TMC limited grievances to a few verbal reports about EVM glitches, which were promptly resolved. Kharagpur, often called 'mini India' due to its diverse mix of Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Odia, and Punjabi residents, saw a robust voter turnout.
