The Kalighat Temple in Kolkata has seen few devotees this season; the sweltering heat and the raging pandemic have kept them and their prayers indoors. So, when a white Swift Dzire pulled up about 200m away from the temple, and a sophisticated white-haired man stepped out, the few onlookers there were surprised. Subrata Saha, a retired Army lieutenant general and a PhD holder in defence studies, waited on the pavement, mask on. Soon, a truck sporting a BJP banner and filled with party workers stopped in front of him. It was only then that the people realised that the man was the BJP candidate in their constituency—Rasbehari.
A roadside vendor went up to him with tea in a paper cup. Saha took off his mask, smiled, and took a few sips. The campaign had begun. Rasbehari, which will go to the polls on April 26, is an urban constituency with both upper-class intellectuals and the slum-dwelling poor.
After finishing his tea, Saha met one of his first prospective voters—a nonagenarian seated on a bench in the tea shop. Being told that Saha was a former Army man, the man said: “I do not care which party you belong to, but as a freedom fighter I must salute you.”
But when asked for his vote, the man became guarded. “Sorry general,” he said. “I cannot tell you whether I will vote for you or not. But you are an able man to join politics. I am proud to meet you.” Saha smiled and returned the compliment.
Esta historia es de la edición May 02, 2021 de THE WEEK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 02, 2021 de THE WEEK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Indira's Bang
How Indira Gandhi secured the borders, ended food import, before going for the test
Who's Afraid Of A New Nuclear Doctrine?
It has been 50 years since Pokhran I. With its capabilities increasing and global power equations changing, does India need to look at reviewing its nuclear doctrine?
I don't think things will change because of the win
When independent filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light scripted history by winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, it was not just a proud moment for the film's team, but also a triumph for the collective aspirations of women across the country.
Sid for kids
As a child, Sidhartha Mallya wished he had someone in his life to tell him what he wants to convey in his latest children's book, Sad Glad
Ready to roll
Following the Pokhran tests, India has operationalised a credible deterrent that the nation should be proud of
Breaking nuclear apartheid
How India protected its ability to move ahead with the nuclear weapons programme despite not signing the NPT
Power point
The Pokhran tests launched India's march towards being a full partner and participant in the global nuclear order
Shock and awe
India’s comprehensive capability in the nuclear domain is the result of its autonomous pursuit of the atomic programme against all odds
Spied on none, stole from none
A senior scientist during the Pokhran test in 1974 and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission during the tests in 1998, Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram has been a key figure in the Indian nuclear journey.
Leader with a difference
ARVIND KEJRIWAL'S RETURN TO JAIL APPEARS IMMINENT. BUT HIS BLISTERING POLL CAMPAIGN MAY HAVE BRIGHTENED INDIA BLOC’S PROSPECTS
