Exit poll results trigger celebrations in TMC

KOLKATA: A syndicate of construction material suppliers in New Town's Laskarhati has placed orders for 200 flexes congratulating Trinamool Congress candidate Sabyasachi Dutta.

A "promoter" who is constructing three buildings in Khidderpore has organised for three hundred plates of mutton biryani and firni on Thursday to celebrate the victory of local candidate Firhad Hakim.

The result of the assembly election will be announced on Thursday but exit polls predictions have sprung a headache for Trinamiool Congress leadership.

Almost all post poll predictions have suggested that TMC has an edge over its political rivals in making the government and this has emboldened the section within the party that has "used the party for personal gains."

"People like small time promoters, transport unions and syndicates have already started celebrating TMC's victory even before the results are announced," said a senior TMC leader in north Kolkata who is also an outgoing MLA.

TMC leaders in various parts of the city said they had several reasons to be cautious. They preferred to wait for the results on Thursday rather than react to exit poll results, they said.

"Firstly, the exit polls have thrown up varying results. This means that there is a X-factor at play. The verdict may go the other way too in which case we will have to eat humble pie," said Tapan Mondal, a panchayat representative in New Town where construction materials suppliers or syndicates rule the roost.

Many senior leaders said that the party wants to start its second innings on a good note. The last five years saw several allegations of corruption, lawlessness and high-handedness levelled against the party and its supporters.

"The party would want to talk about its development plans in the next five years. TMC is the party of the people and would like to be known like this in its second tenure too,' said Bablu Karim, a heavyweight leader in Port area.

But try explaining this to the new class of promoters, auto unions and syndicate members who have flourished in the Trinamool regime. Post poll results predicting return of the Trinamool congress has emboldened these elements who use the party as a shield from the law.

"The exit poll results have come as a relief because we were really worried. If a different party or alliance comes to power at this stage, all our plans will go awry. We have an understanding with our local Trinamool leaders who help us dodge the law and protect us from legal action. If a new person comes in, it will take us time to develop the same relationship," said a member of a syndicate in New Town's Laskarhati.

A change in regime will also result in cost escalation in several projects, said the pro-Trinamool section. "For circumventing the law, we have to pay a price to our political bosses who provide us immunity. This price is considered as an investment and factored in. Now if a new party takes over, their leaders will demand their price or create obstructions. If we pay them, the cost will escalate to a large extent," said a promoter who is developing three buildings in Mominpore.

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