Kolkata's upscale Ballygunge, a Trinamool Congress stronghold for over 25 years, presents a unique mix of cultures and economic classes. High-rises and affluent neighborhoods coexist with expansive slums, creating a diverse electorate.
Voter Deletions Shake Up Electoral Arithmetic
A staggering 71,000 names were removed from the voter list, reducing the electorate from 2,55,000 to 1.8 lakh. With Muslims accounting for nearly 50% of voters until 2021, the deletions could alter electoral dynamics. Although Ballygunge recorded 62% polling in 2021, observers note that turnout was primarily driven by slum areas.
Key Candidates and Their Profiles
The seat will see Trinamool veteran and state minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay take on relatively inexperienced opponents: BJP's Shatorupa, CPM's Afreen Begum, and Congress' Rohan Mitra. Chattopadhyay, an MLA since 1991 and minister since 2011, is expected to have an easy race. A former boxer and founding Trinamool member, he won from Khardah in 2021 after four consecutive wins from Rashbehari from 2001. In 2021, Trinamool secured 71% of the vote share here.
Ballygunge is bounded by affluent areas like Ballygunge Circular Road, Gariahat, and Mandeville Gardens on one side, and minority-dominated Park Circus, Tangra, and Tiljala on the other. Chattopadhyay believes the Systematic Voters' List Revision (SIR) was aimed at eroding Trinamool's base. "The plan will not work, and Ballygunge voters have seen through the BJP's design. I have faced tougher battles, and this time the opposition has no issue to reverse our winning trend. I will win by a big margin. This will be my 10th term as an MLA, and the feeling is special," said the 82-year-old.
BJP Candidate's Perspective
BJP's Shatorupa downplayed the deletions, stating that both Hindu and Muslim names were removed, mostly of dead, shifted, or duplicate voters. "It's not that only Muslims have been affected; they remain the majority here. Along with posh neighborhoods, there are slums lacking water access. My appeal to Muslims is to decide if they want to continue being used by Trinamool for illegal activities or join the mainstream and benefit from BJP's development promises. Minorities are better off in other states," she said.
Infrastructure Contrasts and CPM's Agenda
Despite strong infrastructure—schools, hospitals, hotels, and retail hubs—contrasts persist. Landmarks like Rabindra Sarobar, Birla Mandir, and Bose Institute are in Ballygunge, which also houses some of south Kolkata's oldest neighborhoods, home to luminaries like Satyajit Ray, Jyoti Basu, and Sunil Gangopadhyay. Hindustan Park, Dover Lane, and Fern Road host cultural events and Durga Pujas, yet pockets lack basic amenities.
CPM candidate Afreen Begum highlighted these gaps. "Women in Ballygunge spend long hours outside for work and need safety. If elected, I plan to build toilets and rest rooms for women. Senior citizens in high-rises need better security; I have planned an app and helpline for quick response teams. I also aim to revive government hospitals and schools in the area," she said. Afreen alleged selective deletions: "This will definitely impact the election result. We have tried to get as many enrolled as possible. We are waiting for names to be included on April 27."
Congress Candidate's Criticism
Rohan Mitra said Trinamool had lost credibility. "Eighty lakh youth enrolled for the Yuva Sathi scheme, showing the government's failure to provide jobs. There are no civic amenities, even streetlights are missing. The TMC candidate is not only an outsider but too old to serve the people," he stated.
