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This is an archive article published on April 26, 2024
Remember Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi? A Raiganj house and Bengal’s changed political landscape
Cong’s Deepa Dasmunsi won the seat 15 years ago
The house of former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi in Kaliaganj. Partha Paul
With paint peeling out, a two-storey house with a garden and a Durga Mandap in West Bengal’s Kaliaganj town has a portion of its outer wall painted with graffiti seeking vote for Trinamool Congress. Not so distant in the past, the house of veteran Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was one of the centres of Bengal politics, teeming with netas and party workers during election time. This election, it’s empty with just a caretaker to look after it.
Inside, the visitor’s room has a chair covered in dust with a big, yet old framed photograph of the former Union minister looking over it. There are also photographs of him sitting with late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and late FIFA president Joao Havelange during the England vs Belgium World Cup match in Italy among others.
As Raiganj votes on Friday to settle the contest between the BJP and challenger TMC, Dasmunsi’s desolate house stands as a testament to the politics of a bygone era.
Dasmunsi was a Congress MP from Raiganj between 1999 and 2009. He was elected MP six times from different seats in West Bengal such as Kolkata South and Howrah. He was a minister in Manmohan Singh’s Cabinet and served as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs from 2004 to 2008, and Minister for Information and Technology from 2005 to 2008. He was also All India Football Federation President for two decades — from 1988 to 2008.
In 2008, he suffered a stroke and remained in a coma for several years before passing away in 2017.
After he went into a coma, his wife Deepa Dasmunsi contested from Raiganj in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and won. Deepa is currently AICC observer of Kerala.
“In those days, whenever sir (Priya Ranjan) used to arrive here from Delhi or Kolkata, political leaders used to throng this place. During election time, the road in front of this house used to be packed with cars of political leaders and party workers,” says Sanjit Singh, the caretaker of the house.
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“Sometimes, police had to barricade a portion of the road, especially during Durga Puja when Sir used to distribute clothes to the poor. But in this election, no one has come to this house. Madam (Deepa Dasmunsi) will come on April 26 to cast her vote. That’s all,” adds Singh, who has been working for more than 15 years at the former MP’s house.
“I saw here Manmohan Singh (former Prime Minister), Pranab Mukherjee (former President) and many other stalwarts,” says the caretaker pointing to the sitting room on the ground floor of the house.
Fifty-five-year-old Madhai Paul, who has been living in the neighbourhood for decades, recalls: “Once the politics of Bengal politics was controlled from this house. I have seen that period. VVIP cars were parked nearby “aam bagan (mango orchard). Almost every day, Priya da used to come out and take a stroll on this road. He used to interact with locals. Due to him, everyone in this locality used to work for Congress. Even Kartik Paul who is contesting this election as the BJP candidate was a Congress worker then.”
Another neighbour, Subrata Ghosh, 66, says, “He (Priya Ranjan) and all his brothers were very cordial with us. I also joined the Congress seeing Priya da and his brother Satya da (Pabitra Ranjan Dashmunsi). With Satya da, we formed Pratibaad Club here which engaged in sports, cultural and social activities. During any event, Priya da used to take responsibility of arranging artists.”
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“Now, gradually BJP’s footings have increased here. Like other areas of West Bengal, here too the TMC and BJP now get most votes in this booth,” adds Madhai.
This time, the Congress, which is in alliance with the Left Front, has fielded Ali Imran Ramz alia Victor from Raiganj. While the BJP won from Raiganj in 2019, the CPI(M) won the seat in 2014.
“We are fighting under Priya da’s shadow. During our campaign, all our leaders, our candidate and also Left Front leaders repeatedly recall Priya da’s contribution to Bengal as well as Raiganj. We cannot forget Priya da. But this time unfortunately no one is there in his house. Boudi (Deep Dasmunsi) is busy in Kerala election,” says Mohit Sengupta, the Uttar Dinajpur district unit chief of Congress.
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