ward war

• Ward: 88

• Location: Between Rashbehari Avenue in the north and Budge Budge rail bridge in the south, and SP Mukherjee Road in the east and Tolly’s Nullah in the west

• Area: 1.5sq km (approx)

• Population: About 50,000

• Voters: 22,251

• Major civic problem: Drinking water shortage in parts of the ward

• Battle basics: There’s a saying that Congress candidate Mala Roy, wife of party leader Nirbed Roy, cannot lose a Calcutta Municipal Corporation election. She won the last three elections in the ward representing three parties. The script, however, could be different this time with Trinamul fielding a five-time councillor and the CPM too confident of a strong showing.

Name: Sanjib Ganguly

Party: CPM

Age: 49

Educational qualification: BA, LlB

Occupation: Advocate

Election experience: Is contesting civic elections for the first time. He was involved in student politics and had campaigned for two-time councillor Swadesranjan Das.

Agenda: To improve the quality of life of slum dwellers, who constitute 40 per cent of the area’s population. He also wants to improve educational facilities for the underprivileged and form self-help groups for them.

On his opponents: “For 15 years, Mala Roy has done nothing for the ward. Even Mysore park, which she claims to have built, has turned into her garage,” said Ganguly, known as Rana in the locality.

“Trinamul has always fared poorly in this ward. Anup Chatterjee is a poll veteran but he is an outsider. The Trinamul-Congress vote split would prove a boon for us,” added Ganguly.

Voter’s voice: “We need more public toilets and proper sanitation facilities in our area but the sitting councillor has not done anything. Ganguly promises to solve our problems but we understand that all politicians are the same,” said Rajen Maiti, a rickshaw-puller who lives in a shanty in the area.

Least likely to do: Park his campaign vehicle in Mysore park.

Name: Mala Roy, sitting councillor

Party: Congress

Age: 53

Educational Qualification: BA

Occupation: Printing business and social work

Election experience: In 1995, she contested on a Congress ticket and won by 576 votes. In 2000, Roy beat CPM candidate Swadesranjan Das by 3,205 votes contesting on a Trinamul ticket. In 2005, she represented the Nationalist Congress Party and defeated CPM’s Utpal Kumar Ganguly by 673 votes and Trinamul’s Kakali Ghosh Dastidar by 1,900 votes.

Agenda: To complete projects for the improvement of roads and parks and solve the water problem in the area.

On her opponents: “Chatterjee may have won elsewhere but this ward belongs to me. Chatterjee, along with his leader Mamata Banerjee, had tried to malign me last time but that did not help. There is a loyal CPM vote bank in the area. But I am confident that my people will re-elect me,” said Roy.

Voter’s voice: “Mala has improved the parks and roads and installed street lights. She is helpful,” said Amiya Dutta, a retired bank employee.

Least likely to do: Print Trinamul leaflets in her printing press.

Name: Anup Chatterjee

Party: Trinamul Congress

Age: 55

Educational qualification: BCom

Occupation: Business

Election experience: Won five consecutive times from a neighbouring ward (84), where he lives. Contested from 1985 to 1995 on Congress tickets. Has represented Trinamul since.

Agenda: Slum development and solving the drinking water problem.

On his opponents: “Roy developed the already developed areas and did not pay attention to those living near the Adi Ganga. She won elections using her husband Nirbed Roy’s name. As for Ganguly, people have rejected the CPM and all those who represent the party will lose,” said Chatterjee.

Voter’s voice: “I have been seeing Chatterjee for the past few days. He is an outsider but I have heard that he has done wonders for his own ward. I am in two minds,” smiled Jaya Bhattacharya, a 59-year-old homemaker.

Least likely to do: Praise Pranab Mukherjee within Mamata’s earshot.