Devasish Jana, formerly the mayoral council member in charge of conservancy and a four-time Trinamul Congress councillor, is now fighting the civic polls for the first time on a BJP ticket.
You are contesting against a former party and municipality colleague of many years.
Past relationships do not reflect in electoral battle. And I never make personal attacks in my campaigns.
Is the exit of a former mayor like Sabyasachi Dutta not a big loss to the BJP in the civic polls?
No one is indispensable. If someone leaves, the loss cannot be measured like this. Rather people will think of what to make of this (Dutta’s) journey of quitting and returning (to Trinamul Congress).
Why did you shift from Ward 34 to Ward 31 this time?
I am a resident of AE Block. So Ward 31 is my home. I was a councilor here for 10 years when this was Ward 8 of Bidhannagar Municipality. Before that, I was also ward secretary here. So that gives me 15 years of experience in running this ward. It was reserved for women in 2010, so I was shifted to Ward 16. I had to contest against Tapan Samaddar, minister Subhas Chakraborty’s brother-in-law, whom I defeated by 100-odd votes in a tough fight. Then it became Ward 34, from where I won again.
Devasish Jana. The Telegraph
You are the only known face in your party’s candidate list.
True. But all the candidates are local people. That is our party’s stand.
What is the reaction of your block residents?
Very positive. Ghorer chhele ghorey phirechhe.
What will decide voters' choice — symbol or individual?
Usually civic polls are decided to a large extent by preference for the individual candidate, other than the party.
After the Assembly election, do you think your party symbol will be your strength or weakness?
Our party symbol is always our strength, if there is no manipulation.
The last civic polls in Salt Lake had witnessed large-scale rigging. You are in a different party now. Your comments?
O rokom ghotona na ghotale ora keu jeettey parbe na.
Dutta is predicting 41-0 or 40-1 sweep.
Ask him which side he is counting himself on. (laughs)
Are you still so hopeful after the Assembly election?
My ward has 9,000 Bengalis and 1,500 non-Bengali voters. There was a lead of 1,200-plus for BJP in my ward. Obviously those votes were not for Sabyasachi babu as individual. It was cast for the symbol. That vote will not vanish overnight. This is the additional advantage of my shift.
How was the turnout in the ward in the Assembly election?
About 55 to 58 per cent. A higher turnout will go in my favour. Dedicated and politically conscious voters always vote in the morning. The rest are lethargic. I have to bring them out. If I can get enough common people to vote by 3pm, the voting should be fine. Sesh du ghontai toh tandob leelar sombhabona thake. We have to be alert during the final hours. Do they trust fair polling? Dom ache naki?
Are you alluding to the rival party or your rival as individual?
Individual.
Did you get a hunch that Dutta would return to Trinamul Congress?
There were no such hints but he was trying, I've heard. I got to know finally when he actually joined.
There is life above politics. Have you been in touch with any of your former party colleagues?
That is the strange part. The day I quit the party, the next day a few did call me. But after that, barring one or two, no one has kept in touch. I understand that they must be scared. These days conversations on cellphones can be recorded. They are unable to trust anyone. What if such a conversation gets reported anywhere?
Soon after joining BJP, you had told The Telegraph Salt Lake about your close ties with (Assembly Opposition leader) Suvendu Adhikari. Will you stay in BJP as long as he is there?
Neither will Suvendu babu quit the party, nor will I.
Why will people vote for Devasish Jana?
My credentials are there for everyone to see. I will get 100 per cent support from those who know that. I have got many phone calls from people who are happy that I am contesting from here. They are all common people who are promising to support me. Let there be fair polling. It will reveal doodh ka doodh, pani ka pani. I am apprehensive that they will indulge in foul play. They did it in some areas of Calcutta Municipal Corporation polls and might do so here as well.
saltlake@abp.in
All eyes on Ward 31
Comprises: AE, BE, BF, CE, CF, DE, DF blocks, Central Park
Assembly 2021: BJP led here by 1,308 votes (the highest lead for BJP in any ward of Salt Lake)