The rickshaw pullers of Kolkata are nothing like Balraj Sahni from Do Bigha Zameen. They are not bechara or besahara and had no problems telling a seemingly (we hope) yuppy reporter from Delhi that they had better things to do than educate him on their city’s political history.
But when they did speak, they gave us a picture of the city’s allure for the immigrant and the complicated loyalties that go into a vote.
Like many others, a bulk of those pulling the city’s denizens around with their bodies have come here from Bihar to exchange their rural poverty for a slightly more lucrative urban one.
Mohammad Ashraf and Mohammed Irshad are both from Darbhanga and have been in the city for over two decades. They ply their trade near Mauala Azad College in the city-centre and are CPI(M) supporters.
Five years ago though, they had voted for Mamata.
The CPI(M) did not care about the city, only the villages. But we had to make a living too. We have managed to support ourselves somehow, sent money back to our village. But I couldn’t ask my son to come here… there is no work. He has been to school, he can’t be a rickshaw wala, can he?Mohammed Irshad
Mamata too has been a disappointment and nothing has changed, says Mohammed Ashraf. Prices have risen, rents have gone up and there are still no jobs to speak of. But are five years of anti-incumbency enough to defeat the 34 years that preceded it?
The party (CPM) is trying to change. They have allied with the Congress to defeat Mamata which shows they are willing to change. If there can be a Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, why not here?Mohammed Ashraf
Azghar Ali though, has a different opinion. He has been in Kolkata since the early 1960s and blames the CPI(M) for the shrinking space for him to ply his trade. He doesn’t see his profession as exploitative.
Anyone, from a young man to a 70-year-old can make a living with a rickshaw. They said that rickshaw drivers will get autos. Show me one of us who can or has become an auto driver. Under Nehru and Indira’s Congress rule, there were hath-gadis everywhere, all over the city. But the CPI(M) just gave us this small patch of road. Their rule was zulm for us.Azghar Ali
Today’s Congress though, doesn’t impress him. In his opinion, the leadership doesn’t inspire confidence. Mamata Banerjee is the best ruler in the state.
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