Our election caravan has reached West Bengal, where the Sandeshkali row is raising the political temperature, and the BJP and Mamta Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress are set to lock horns in a fierce battle.       

Newslaundry spoke to people in the capital city’s Maidan area, a popular spot for morning walkers, about elections and the poll planks. Many of them complained about corruption and a lack of jobs under the Mamata Banerjee government. For many, migration for employment seemed to be an election issue. A local said he feels he has self-sabotaged by “educating his children”, as they had to move to a different city for employment. 

At the same time, most of them distanced themselves from the communal narratives of the BJP, as reflected in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent rally speeches. A local resident emphasised that in a secular nation, there is no need to differentiate between Hindus and Muslims.

What are the people’s main questions for the state and central governments?

Watch.