A “train” with an engine and two coaches is roaming around the South Dinajpur district, occasionally whistling as it moves on state and national highways, much to the people's surprise.
State BJP president and the party's Balurghat nominee, Sukanta Majumdar, has readied a tableau resembling a train.
“During my tenure as the MP, I managed to introduce a new train from Balurghat to Sealdah (Calcutta). Several railway infrastructure projects have also been executed in the district. That is why I have introduced the tableau to apprise people of the initiatives I have taken to improve railway connectivity with South Dinajpur, which is a bordering district,” said Majumdar.
The tableau, which has been readied on a vehicle, has an engine and two compartments. While one coach bears the name Balurghat-Delhi Express, the other reads Balurghat-Sealdah Express.
“We have also fixed sound boxes in the tableau where we are playing the ambience sound of a train’s engine and also the whistle. The sound is also drawing people of different age groups,” said a BJP functionary in the district.
Ramendra Dutta, who runs a grocery shop in Gangarampur, was one of the residents caught by surprise.
“I was sitting in my shop when suddenly I heard the train’s whistle and soon, the tableau was there. Initially, it looked like a train and later, I realised that it had been launched by the BJP for a campaign,” said Dutta.
Majumdar said: “The frequency of the Balurghat-Howrah Express has been increased. The service of Balurghat-Delhi Express will start soon. Also, the infrastructure at the station has been increased and a rake point has been developed for goods movement.”
The railway ministry, he claimed, will also start the expansion work of the Buniadpur-Kaliaganj route. The work for the extension of the railway track from Balurghat to Hili which is on the India-Bangladesh border, has started, mentioned the MP.
Trinamul leaders said the tableau was entertaining children across the district.
“He, however, can’t draw votes with the tableau. The MP has not built a single road or hasn't taken up a drinking water project. Only train services will not help. Let him campaign with the tableau, we will highlight the Centre’s deprivation,” said Subhash Bhowal, the Trinamul president of South Dinajpur.