In a move that has sent ripples through the political landscape of North Bengal, Siliguri Mayor and Trinamool Congress candidate Gautam Deb made a striking appearance at the city’s Ram Navami celebrations this Friday. Dressed in traditional saffron attire, the veteran leader’s participation has sparked intense debate—is this a genuine display of unity or a calculated masterstroke ahead of the Assembly elections? The atmosphere at Mallaguri, the starting point of the grand procession, was charged with fervor as Gautam Deb arrived at the platforms hosted by the Bangiya Hindu Mahamancha and the Ram Sewa Samity. In a visual that few expected, the TMC stalwart was seen wearing a saffron turban and a red scarf, waving a saffron flag and actively joining the crowds in chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
The mayor did not shy away from his political opponents. On the Mahamancha dais, he was seen exchanging warm greetings with Pravin Agarwal, the BJP’s state committee treasurer. Later, at the Samity venue, Deb was welcomed by Arun Mondal, the BJP’s Siliguri district president. The two shared a warm embrace as Mondal gifted the mayor a small idol of Lord Ram.
Addressing the media, Deb framed his presence as an act of civic duty, stating, “As the guardian of the city, we want to move forward in unity today, setting aside all differences.”
However, the camaraderie did not go without a side of political friction. As Deb’s convoy moved along Hill Cart Road, he crossed paths with the sitting MLA and BJP candidate, Shankar Ghosh. While the two exchanged greetings, Ghosh later spoke to reporters with a touch of sarcasm. He remarked that it was “good to see” Deb’s newfound devotion, though he questioned whether this faith would last beyond the election cycle. Political analysts suggest that Deb’s active participation—spanning nearly a dozen events throughout the day—is a tactical nod to Siliguri’s specific demographics. By embracing the festive sentiment, the TMC leader aims to bridge the gap with voters in a region where religious sentiments often play a pivotal role at the ballot box. Whether this “saffron strategy” will pay off remains to be seen as the city heads toward a high-stakes election.