How the Humble Telebhaja Got This Man Elected in West Bengal

Kolkata: The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they say. Now it seems that could be the way into the voter's heart as well. At least that's what voters are saying about a newly elected municipal councillor in north Kolkata's Ward 17. The councillor, Mohan Gupta, makes a living selling a Bengali favourite - the telebhaja. Closest translation in Hindi is the pakora.

No evening snack in a Bengali household in north Kolkata is complete without the telebhaja, particularly from Mr Gupta's 96-year-old shop, 'Laxminarayan Shau and Sons'. Founded by his grandfather, Mr Gupta now runs it and readily admits that he owes his victory in the Kolkata Corporation polls, at least partially, to his telebhajas.

"This shop gave me a certain public recognition but I also helped local people in their troubles. That's why they voted for me, gave me victory. The shop also certainly gave me a certain public recognition," claims Mr Gupta.

Proof of the pudding comes from his customers-cum-voters who bite into Mr Gupta's telebhaja at least once a day. Among the regulars, is 70-year-old Randhir Bose who has been coming to this shop for 50 years and loves the stuff: the telebhajas and the man who sells them. "He is a very well behaved gentleman, number one and secondly, these chips are very tasty and it never leads to acidity. That is one of the reasons. Especially at this age"  

Amrik Singh, another local resident said, "The way he makes his chops, I want him to serve the people with the same dedication. He is a good man."

The 48-year-old Mr Gupta fought and won the civic polls as an independent as he did not get a Trinamool Congress (TMC) ticket. When the results came out on May 28, even the TMC was taken aback and has now invited Mr Gupta to join the party.

When he finally meets her, Mr Gupta is sure to carry a box of his telebhajas for Mamata Banerjee. He knows the Chief Minister is partial to the snack.