On the eve of the announcement of results of the most crucial Assembly election of her political career, Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was a picture of calm. Just opposite was the demeanour of CPI(M) state secretary and Left Front chairman Biman Bose. He was agitated and angry.
Mr Bose not only rejected the exit poll results as “bogus” he also claimed that the Left Front would return to power with a comfortable majority.
Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee did not visit the Writers’ Buildings.
Ms Banerjee came out of her house and walked upto her office where she informally met party leaders Mukul Roy, Partha Chatterjee and Sovan Chatterjee. On the request of the lensmen and cameramen, she posed for pictures.
She also held an adda session with a group of journalists. Even while engaged in informal conversation, she also painted some canvases. Apparently in a happy mood, she also sang some Rabindrasangeet and Nazrulgeeti, including “Purono shei diner katha” and “Chal re chal.”
In short, when she should have been on tenterhooks and biting her nails, she decided to let her hair down.
“I have no tension. I will accept whatever will be the people’s verdict,” she said.
Ms Banerjee discussed the polls prospects of different parties in states like Assam and Kerala whose election results were also due on Friday but she categorically refrained from making any speculation or comment about the results of the Bengal polls.
A close Mamata aide revealed that she could adopt this non-chalant attitude because she already anticipated what would be the people’s verdict.
“Didi has told us that she could make out from the faces and eyes of the people, that they have voted to usher in pariborton in the state,” he added.
Outside Ms Banerjee’s Kalighat home, a flurry of activities were on for Friday.
A huge shamiana had been erected for both electronic and print media persons who are expected to assemble there in large numbers since early morning. Barricades were also being set up to restrict the entry of people.
“With announcement of results, thousands of people may descend at her residence which may create chaos and pose a threat to her security. We are therefore barring entry of all unwanted persons,” a security officer said on condition of anonymity.