This Singer has Upset Political Equations in CPI-M Bastion

Asansol: When other constituencies toppled like nine pins during the Trinamool Congress wave in 2009, Asansol had stayed firmly with the Communist party of India - Marxist.

This time, the electoral battle here should have been a direct fight between the two traditional rivals. But popular singer Babul Supriyo, the BJP's candidate, has upset political equations.

So much so that Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already held four rallies here for her candidate Dola Sen.

Even BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi stopped by on Sunday.

Now, Asansol is all set to witness a major political fight on May 7.

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On the last day of campaigning, Mr Supriyo seemed to be enjoying every moment. He was going around in a mini truck with a makeshift seat on top of the cab -- something he himself designed. It gave him full visibility and makes it easy to shake hands or sign autographs.

At pit stops, he broke into songs; usually it was "Kaho na pyar hai".

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The political debutant said, "I have really enjoyed myself. I am thankful to Modi ji for giving me this candidature. I think I am learning the crude lessons, the dirty side of politics at a young age. It will make me a more mature person. I am not only gathering experience, I have gained wisdom. "

Mr Supriyo is buoyed by the fact that Modi campaigned for him in Asansol on Sunday and urged the huge crowd to vote for "hamara Babul".

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Dola Sen's leader has also come calling, four times at that.

Ms Banerjee urged the faction-ridden Trinamool in Asansol to unite behind her and even got actor Mithun Chakraborty to campaign for her.

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"Either Asansol is a very tough seat or me, Dola Sen, is a very tough contender. Not only Modi, but (CPI-M leader and West Bengal Chief Minister) Buddadeb Bhattacharjee has come here to campaign. (CPI-M leader) Brinda Karat has come. I am honoured," said Dola, who is a trade unionist.

CPI-M leader Bangsho Gopal Choudhury, incumbent Member of Parliament from Asansol, has quite a different take on the political face-off.

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He won last time with a margin of 77,000 votes.

"Their position is not good. That's why the Chief Minister, along with the stars, is coming to the dais to gather people. That's why they stress on stars," said Mr Choudhury.

Mr Supriyo has already had a run-in with Ms Sen.

Her party filed two police cases against him, accusing him of carrying arms and campaigning in a drunken state.

"I am a teetotaler and not a hypocrite. I always carry arms, my left arm and right arm. The TMC should do its homework," said Mr Supriyo.

But Ms Sen dismissed his claims.

"I also like his songs. People will love his songs but they will vote for Mamata. It is a fait accompli. What can I do? I am Mamata's candidate and I will win," she says.

Mr Supriyo reacted to her tall claims with another song "Kuch to log kahenge. Logo ka kaam hai kehna. Choro bekar ki baatey (People will always say things, it's their job to say things. Forget all this useless talk),"

Meanwhile, CPI-M candidate Bangsho Gopal refused to be drawn into this fight.

"There is no Mamata wave here and no Modi wave," he said.

In Asansol, the stage is indeed set for a very interesting political battle.