NEW DELHI: With the West Bengal assembly elections entering a crucial phase, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday took her poll campaign to the local streets and visited a busy local market in Kolkata to interact directly with vendors and shoppers.Dressed in her trademark white saree and slippers, Mamata walked through narrow market lanes, stopping at stalls to speak with vegetable sellers and customers. She enquired about wholesale and retail prices of essentials such as potatoes, onions and seasonal greens, and listened to grievances, particularly from women vendors.She also assured continued support through state welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, positioning the state government as responsive to everyday economic concerns.The market visit comes amid a broader political contest over Bengal’s street connect and cultural identity. It also follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent campaign stop in Jhargram, where he was seen having “jhalmuri” during an outreach event.Mamata had earlier targeted the episode, alleging it was stage-managed. “They had fitted TV cameras and CCTV cameras earlier with the security. They had prepared jhal muri from home for security concerns and gave ₹10 to the shopkeeper. In fact, I don’t carry any notes,” she said.Taking a swipe at the BJP’s campaign optics, she added, “They said they will eat jhal muri if they win, but I say I will give you bhelpuri from Delhi. First, they showed a ‘chai-wala’, and now they are showing jhal muri to win the election.”“We are habitual of spicy jhal muri, but have you ever tried fish and chicken curry? I eat your dhokla, I eat dosa, I eat litti, I eat thekua, I eat sattu. I eat vermicelli during Eid, and I eat halwa. Don’t teach me religion,” she added.The chief minister also questioned the BJP’s confidence after the first phase of polling. “Have they fixed the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)? Otherwise, how can they be so confident about the election?” she said, adding that the polls would be a vote on the rights of Bengal’s people.The first phase of polling, held on April 23, recorded a high turnout, with both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP claiming an edge. With campaign activity intensifying on the ground, Bengal is set to go to polls for phase 2 on April 29 for 142 seats.The counting of votes will take place on May 4.
