Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: For Bengalis, an election invariably means that every lane and main thoroughfare—from the narrowest alleys to the widest avenues—becomes draped in a riot of colorful flags. But where do political parties procure these flags? Kolkata’s largest flag market is located at Page Patti in Burrabazar. It is a bustling stretch lined with rows of shops, each specializing primarily in the sale of flags representing various political parties. These shops offer flags of varying quality, with prices ranging from a modest four rupees up to seventy rupees. However, a surprising revelation emerged from a tour of these Burrabazar shops: the actual sales figures for these flags. While the political arena in Bengal currently witnesses its fiercest rivalry between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, when it comes to flag sales, Trinamool stands miles ahead, leaving the BJP far behind. In fact, surpassing the BJP, the CPM has surged into second place in terms of flag sales volume—a fact confirmed by Neeraj Tatia, a local flag vendor.
Sanjay Chandra, another flag merchant, observes that regardless of the intense political rivalry playing out in the public sphere, workers from all parties tend to mingle amicably when they visit the same shop to purchase flags. However, as time passes, political parties are evolving their campaign strategies. There was a time when flags constituted the primary medium of political campaigning; now, however, alternative merchandise has emerged to rival the traditional flag. Items such as T-shirts, caps, keychains, umbrellas, and *uttariyas* (decorative stoles)—all emblazoned with party symbols—are now selling just as briskly as the flags themselves.
Beyond the major players—Trinamool, CPM, Congress, and BJP—flags for parties such as the ISF and BSP are also being sold. Furthermore, local shopkeepers here even accept special orders to manufacture custom flags for independent candidates.