Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
For an hour in Barrackpore, political passion was on full display — flags waved, slogans echoed and support for the BJP was worn openly. And yet, beneath the noise and colour, there was a striking silence when it came to speaking plainly about voting choices.
What I witnessed in that one hour was not just a roadshow, but a layered snapshot of West Bengal’s political mood — expressive in public, guarded in private.
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A HIGH-ENERGY START IN A HISTORIC BELT
From the politically significant Barrackpore region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh struck a familiar campaign note — linking development with security and urging people to vote for the BJP. But this was not just another campaign stop.
Just 24 hours earlier, a statement from Pakistan’s defence minister — delivered from Sialkot — had escalated rhetoric, warning of a possible strike on Kolkata in response to any “misadventure” by India.
The remark quickly found its way into Bengal’s political discourse, adding an unusual cross-border dimension to a state election already dominated by issues like infiltration from Bangladesh.
As Singh’s roadshow moved through Barrackpore, these narratives — national security, infiltration and development — blended into the campaign messaging and I saw it all as I covered the roadshow.
FLAGS, FLOWERS AND A FESTIVE ROADSHOW
Dressed in a brown Modi jacket over a crisp white kurta-pyjama, Rajnath Singh stood atop the campaign vehicle, waving steadily at the crowd. The 2-kilometre stretch had transformed into a corridor of saffron.
BJP flags lined the roads, posters covered shopfronts and supporters poured in from balconies and sidewalks. Some showered flowers from above; others danced along the route.
On the campaign truck were BJP candidate Sumitro Chatterjee and Barrackpore in-charge Nishikant Dubey, both smiling and acknowledging the crowds.
From young first-time voters to elderly supporters clutching party flags, the turnout cut across age groups. At first glance, it signalled strong, visible enthusiasm for the BJP.
WHEN QUESTIONS MET SILENCE
But when I stepped away from the spectacle, I felt the mood shifting. After interviewing the defence minister, as I moved into the crowd and began asking a simple question — whether they believed the BJP would bring development — the responses became cautious.
Some smiled. Some nodded faintly. One woman simply said there was “no need” to answer. Most chose silence. This hesitation stood out.
There were hints of dissatisfaction with the current government, led by Mamata Banerjee, but very few were willing to articulate it openly.
The political preference that seemed so visible in the rally became — almost guarded — in conversation. In Bengal, it appeared, political opinion was something many preferred to keep private.
SPLIT OPINIONS AMONG WOMEN VOTERS
A group of women holding BJP flags offered a more nuanced view. They spoke respectfully of Mamata Banerjee, calling her a strong leader, but also expressed curiosity about what the BJP might bring if given a chance. It wasn’t outright support or rejection — it was a balancing act, reflecting both familiarity with the present and uncertainty about the alternative.
INFILTRATION, DEMOGRAPHY AND QUIET CONCERNS
Among younger men gathered near a roadside stall, the conversation turned to infiltration — a recurring theme in Bengal politics. They spoke about demographic changes in border areas and framed it as a growing concern.
There was a sense that the issue mattered deeply, even if it wasn’t always voiced loudly. One remark stood out: if everyone starts speaking openly about such issues, it could create problems — a telling indication of why many prefer restraint in public conversations.
As I spoke with these men who were donning saffron caps, the violence that the state saw five years ago, in 2021, was something that once again came up in the conversations. They have maths of violence, something that most BJP supporters have not forgotten. In my opinion, this could, in fact, be the reason why people go silent when one goes around, asking them which party they prefer.
A CROWD DISPERSES, ANOTHER EMERGES
As with most roadshows, the energy dissipated quickly once the convoy passed. Within minutes, the BJP crowd thinned out. But what followed was unexpected.
At the very same spot where BJP supporters had gathered, CPI cadres began assembling — many of them women, carrying flags and marching forward. Their presence was quieter, but no less determined.
THE LEFT’S QUIET RESOLVE
The Left has not been in power in the state of West Bengal for the past 15 years and when I asked the supporters why they continued to support the Left despite its declining electoral fortunes, their answer was immediate: loyalty.
Some called themselves lifelong supporters, unwavering regardless of outcomes. Others voiced disappointment with the promises made by the current government since 2011, describing them as unfulfilled.
One woman, in a moment of sharp challenge, asked me to name five things West Bengal is known for today — beyond political violence.
Before I could respond, others joined in, insisting that this election could still bring a shift — especially in urban pockets where, they claimed, dissatisfaction runs deep but quiet.
LOUD SUPPORT, SILENT DECISIONS
In that one hour, Barrackpore revealed a political paradox. Publicly, support for the BJP was energetic, visible and unapologetic.
Privately, voters were far more cautious — weighing options, withholding opinions and avoiding clear declarations.
From enthusiastic crowds to hesitant conversations, from the BJP’s high-voltage roadshow to the Left’s quiet march, the message was clear:The real contest in West Bengal may not be about what is said loudly — but about what remains unspoken until the ballot is cast.
– Ends
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
