[1]Although campaigning for arguably the most crucial Assembly election has started in full swing, the accompanying sound and fury is missing.
The blaring of loud speakers at every nook and corner of Kolkata would have drowned any conversation in the past, but this time the streets are free of noise pollution. No, the locquacious political leaders and their over enthusiastic workers have not suddenly become environment friendly.
The reason for this lack of sound and fury is a high court ban on the use of loud speakers during board examinations. Higher Secondary and ISC examinations will continue for another ten days and microphones will remain inoperative till April 10.
Although the filing of nominations for first and second phases of the six-phase election has begun, no political party has been able to organise a big public meeting due to this handicap. Left Front leaders had kickstarted their campaign with a massive rally at the sprawling Brigade Parade Ground in the city on February 10, but that was weeks before the board exmainations began.
Turning this handicap into an opportunity, Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has started doing road shows. She led a padyatra from Joka-Thakurpukur to Behala-Taratala last Sunday to seek vote for two heavyweight candidates from Behala East and Behala West — Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Partha Chatterjee. Thousands lined up to see their Didi and the road show was a success.
Her second road show, covering four Assembly constituencies, was a bigger success. She has lined up three more such road shows.
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[1] http://103.241.136.51/loudspeaker-ajpgcropdisplayjpg-028