Chowringee's 'kingmaker'

Kolkata: When Iqbal Ahmed returned to his party office opposite Mezbaan Restaurant on Ripon Street after being out on the roads in the scorching heat, he looked relaxed and content.
“Voting day is the most important day in a politician's life. It is like appearing for an exam after preparing for five years,“ said the Trinamool MLA. The KMC deputy mayor would know -he is a veteran of several elections.
Close aides claim Ahmed can predict the margin even before votes are cast.No wonder then that every Trinamool candidate who contests from “his area“ of Chowringhee has to pay him a visit. This time, it is Nayna Bandyopadhyay, wife of Kolkata North MP Sudip Bandopadhyay . “Ward 62 is Iqbal bhai and Iqbal bhai is ward 62. The polling will be according to Iqbal bhai's wish,“ said a young Trinamool worker, waiting on his bike outside the party office.
But Ahmed leaves nothing to chance. He was out early in the morning. His first stop was Ripon Square and then the booth at St Mary's School. “The initial trends are encouraging.Our voters came out in full force. Our workers mobilized many reluctant voters,“ said an aide.