A mere 50 metres separated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her former confidant turned Bharatiya Janata Party challenger, Suvendu Adhikari, in a narrow lane in Kolkata's Bhowanipore constituency on Wednesday. This fleeting moment encapsulated the intensely personal and bitter electoral contest between the two leaders. Neither acknowledged the other nor exchanged a single glance, but the 50-metre distance spoke volumes about their strained relationship.
Banerjee's Unconventional Polling Day
Banerjee, who has remained unbeaten in Bhowanipore since 2011, broke her usual polling-day routine of staying indoors until the afternoon. The 71-year-old Chief Minister left her Kalighat residence at 7:40 am on Wednesday, visited Chetla, met with city mayor Firhad Hakim, and proceeded to inspect polling booths in the area. By 8 am, she had stationed herself outside a Trinamool Congress office in Chakraberia, where the atmosphere was calm. She sipped tea with party workers while politely declining food offered by local residents. However, her mood shifted dramatically as she scrolled through images on her phone, leading her to allege that central forces had assaulted Trinamool Congress workers.
"I was awake all night," Banerjee stated. "Observers and police officers brought from outside are carrying out atrocities. Our workers are being beaten up and arrested illegally. Their intention is clear: they want to rig the election."
The Tense Encounter
Minutes after Banerjee entered the Amrapali Heera residential complex, the 55-year-old Adhikari arrived at the scene accompanied by central forces. The close encounter involved zero eye contact but maximum political heat. "Ye darr mujhe acchha laga," Adhikari remarked, alleging that Banerjee was afraid of losing and attempting to intimidate voters. He crisscrossed the constituency from Jadu Babu's Bazaar to Park Street, tracking voter turnout despite the rain. Adhikari stated that he was in touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed confidence in victory, predicting a 30,000-vote margin in Bhowanipore. Notably, he had defeated Banerjee by 1,956 votes in Nandigram in the previous assembly election.
Banerjee's convoy moved through overlapping routes but avoided another direct face-off with Adhikari.
Clashes and Allegations
Tensions flared at Mitra Institution when Adhikari met voters and Trinamool Congress supporters began shouting slogans. He later alleged that a mob surrounded him, prompting calls for additional security. Central forces intervened, swinging batons at cars and bystanders while dispersing the crowd. "They are outsiders. I called QRT," Adhikari added. Trinamool Congress leader Kajari Banerjee accused Adhikari of provocation, alleging that central forces "mercilessly beat" voters. Adhikari later struck a lighter note at Jadu Babu's Bazaar, sharing a soft drink with Trinamool workers. "I know Bhowanipore very well... this time the constituency is voting for us," he said.
Banerjee remained combative throughout the day. Arriving at Mitra Institution at 4:05 pm to cast her vote, she again alleged torture by central forces. "I have never seen anything like this... BJP will lose. We will win with a two-thirds majority," she added.
Record Voter Turnout
Bhowanipore, long known for its subdued polling patterns, recorded a sharp shift in voter engagement. Turnout surged to 86.6% as of 9 pm, up from 57.5% in the 2021 bypolls, 66.8% in 2016, and 44.7% in 2011. Affluent pockets witnessed long queues and a heightened sense of urgency. "I've never seen an election like this," said businessman M Daud.
