Siliguri accountant Kanhaiya Lal: "Have to stop Mamata at all costs"

Elections are not just about politicians. They are about people and issues. And what really drives their vote.

Catch is, therefore, starting a 'Meet the Voter' series to capture what different impact groups in the poll-bound states are feeling. This is true insight into the upcoming assembly elections: up-close and hyper-personal.

Catch met Kanhaiya Lal Khaitan on a train journey from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri. He is a chartered accountant from Siliguri.

The foremost thought in his mind, when it comes to the West Bengal Assembly elections, is to cast his vote for someone who'll stop the Trinamool Congress from coming back into power.

"There is a fear in the minds of the people to speak against the TMC and Mamata Banerjee. People think that if they don't support Mamata, something adverse will happen to them. I don't want people who induce fear among the masses to continue in power," Kanhaiya Lal said.

The battle in Siliguri is between former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, the TMC candidate, and Ashok Bhattacharya of the CPI(M).

"After being defeated in the 2011 elections, the CPI(M) has learnt its lesson. It has immense support in Siliguri this time around. Bhaichung's celebrity status might not do much for the TMC in Siliguri," he says.

Kanhaiya Lal feels that it is time for the BJP to make in mark in West Bengal. He is a supporter of the BJP government at the Centre, but agrees that the BJP doesn't have much of a base in Bengal.

"BJP coming to power in Bengal could enhance the economy in the state. It can bring development to the state, something that neither CPI(M) nor the TMC has been able to do," he says.