Brand Buddha lost in ’11, not our MLA: Jadavpur voters
Times of India | 9 August 2024
Kolkata: In 2016, dressed in his trademark dhoti-kurta, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee took a ride in an open jeep from Tollygunge to Garia. He was canvassing for Left Front candidates from three south Kolkata constituencies. Since 1987 — and for five consecutive times — he had represented the “educational and intellectual hub” in the city. It was but natural that his “homecoming” would be special.That, incidentally, was the last major appearance of this Jadavpur leader in his own backyard.
Among those who lined up at the Jadavpur 8B stand and even walked with the rally were 56-year-old Shyamadas Karmakar and 28-year-old Arko Sengupta. Karmakar is still a faithful party worker. He has been a Left campaign manager in the latest Lok Sabha elections and sought votes in the name of the former chief minister. Sengupta, in contrast and by his own admission, “is still far removed from party politics.”
Yet, both insist his 2011 loss was a reflection of the performances of ‘Brand Buddha’ and not the MLA Bhattacharjee. “His loss in 2011 was unexpected. The Left has held this seat since 1967. But then again, the situation was such that he could have lost from any other seat. Sujan Chakraborty had a smooth sailing in 2016 because the voters knew he had Bhattacharjee’s backing,” said Karmakar.
The local party members — several of whom have multiple anecdotes to share about Bhattacharjee — held a condolence rally near Sukanta Setu on Thursday.
“Today, my friends across party lines are lauding the man. He is perhaps one of those last few prominent leaders who could live a simple but fulfilling life. Beyond politics and ideology, Jadavpur will remember him as the man who perfected the art of simple living,” said Sengupta.
Other Jadavpur residents like bank official Jogen Roy and teacher Saptarshi Mukherjee feel that Bhattacharjee “perfectly blended with the political aspirations” of the refugee colonies who stood by him for over two decades. “As the young generation slowly took over — who had never witnessed the rehabilitation process — they could not identify with his politics,” said Mukherjee. “You needed men like him at this juncture. The Left has lost ground but nothing is constant. He could have suggested ways out,” said retired engineer Amiya Kumar Pal.