Drumming up support for Panja

KOLKATA: Microphone curbs during campaigning can be music to some ears — especially drummers. Take Bishu Das for instance.
This professional drummer has been roped in by Trinamul Congress candidate Ajit Panja in his poll stageshow.
Bishu, Shyaman, Hiren, Biman and Pradip are beating Panja''s drum — quite literally —through the alleys of Kolkata.They are more used to balle-balle and Kaanta Laga, but the drummers have by now got the rhythm right for Panja favourites — patriotic numbers like Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, Mere Desh Ki Dharti, and Sare Jahan Se Achha.
"Summer is lean season for us because there are no marriages or parties. This election duty has landed in our lap like a boon," Bishu said. He and his friends, all employees of Mehbood band on MG Road feel quite enchanted about the job. They cannot thank the PCB enough for banning loudspeakers in campaign rallies because of HS exams.
The melody helps Panja attract a crowd in the alleys and bylanes of Bedford Lane and Ripon Street. Panja''s election brochures that narrate Panja''s achievements during his tenure as a minister at the Centre and as MP with special reference to the minority community — are immediately handed out.
Both Salim and Panja are trying hard win over the minority community. While CPM is harping on Gujarat riots, Panja has a custom-made campaign booklet that shows newspaper clippings of how he "saved" people in the Gujarat riots.