Name: Tanmoy Goswami
Occupation: Information technology professional
Age: 41
Education: Graduate
Annual income: Rs 8 lakh
Size of family: Wife and a 12-year-old son
Assembly seat: Siliguri
Q: Is there any one issue that is deciding how you will vote?
I will consider a number of issues before I vote this time.
Q: Will you vote for the same party you voted for in 2016? If so, why?
No, I will vote for development and communal harmony. My previous choice has tied up with an outfit that I believe functions on religious lines.
Q: Three things that Mamata Banerjee has done that benefited you?
First, there has been a huge development in road network across north Bengal. We can travel seamlessly for personal and professional work and the commute time has also come down. Two, the health and allied infrastructure the state government set up to tackle Covid was enormous. Three, almost all state government departments are also functioning online and people are getting services sitting at home.
Q: Three things Mamata has done that hurt you.
One, losing her cool in the face of uncomfortable questions and slogans. Two, her government’s development initiatives have been undercut by a section of unscrupulous leaders and elected representatives. Three, the failure to conduct peaceful panchayat elections in 2018.
Q: Do you believe Mamata works for the poor or do you see her as part of the elite?
She certainly works for the poor. She has introduced numerous social security schemes that have helped the downtrodden.
Q: What do you think of the charge that she is only a Pishi?
It is simply political propaganda promoted by the saffron camp. There is dynasty politics in other parties as well, including the BJP.
Q: Three things that Narendra Modi has done at the Centre that benefited you.
Can’t remember three but yes, certain developments have taken place in the road and rail networks. However, prices of train tickets have gone up.
Q: Three things that Modi has done at the Centre that hurt you?
One, appeasement of a few selected industrialists and the privatisation of government assets.. Two, demonetisation. It damaged small-scale industries, shops and the MSME sector. Three, the absence of steady initiatives to help migrant workers during the lockdown.
Q: Does he work for the poor or do you think it is true that he is working for his cronies?
The policies of the Centre are centred around a few select industrialists. There are central government schemes, of course, but most of them have been there since the UPA days. Ujjwala Yojona beneficiaries cannot get cylinders because of the hike in the prices of petro products.
Q: Has your life got better since 2016 or worse?
It is of course better. New options have opened up in the state in the IT sector.
Q: What do you think about the Left's chances and about its alliance?
In principle, the Left is against capitalists. The Congress is a team of crony capitalists. Now they have joined hands. Their bond was based on secularism. However, after they included the ISF in the team, they have lost credibility.
Q: Do Hindus and Muslims live in harmony in your neighbourhood?
Absolutely. Actually, we do not identify people as Hindu or Muslim here in Siliguri. We take pride in the bond among people here.
