Trinamool celebrates at Kalighat

KOLKATA: When it pours, Mamata Banerjee wins. That has been the trend over the last 15 years, pointed out jubilant Trinamool Congress supporters who broke into a frenzied celebration on a drizzly Thursday morning. The heavens opened up soon after the initial trends started coming in and the dingy lane leading to 30B Harish Chatterjee Street greeted the sharp showers with cheer. The sign was encouraging and none missed it at Kalighat. The optimism soon blossomed into a wild celebration with hundreds of supporters, leaders, victorious candidates, actors, bureaucrats and IPS officers streaming in to congratulate a rather composed Mamata. It couldn’t have been a more decisive victory and

Kalighat

went delirious.

Every time Trinamool wins, Mamata’s residence turns into the centre of gravity. It was no different on Thursday. But this time, it turned into a virtual pilgrimage with scores turning up to hail a fantastic victory, an unexpected triumph which no one thought would have as wide a margin. While the common supporters jostled for a glimpse of the leader, the more important visitors waited to exchange greetings with her. Mamata had to venture out thrice to greet her guests on a day she looked rather poised and serene.

Bureaucrat Khalil Ahmed was one of the first to stroll into the lane, wading through a sea of celebrating supporters. Actor-turned-MP Dev was the next VIP to roll into the lane in his swank Mercedes. MP Derek O’ Brien, Tollywood celebrities Raj Chakraborty and Rudraneel Ghosh followed.