WB Polls: Mandarin graffiti in support of TMC adorn walls of Kolkata

Amid continuing West Bengal Assembly elections, the only thriving Chinatown in the country is bustling with political activity with graffiti of Trinamool Congress' (TMC) leaders on the walls. The people of Chinatown, however, have largely stayed away from the hustle and bustle of the election but this time around, the scenario has changed.

Kolkata: Tiretta Bazar- the only thriving Chinatown in the country is bustling with political activity with graffiti of Trinamool Congress' (TMC) leaders on the walls of the township amid ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.

According to a political analyst, Bengal has always had a Chinese connection as the Left leaders in the state often swore by the communist regime in the neighbouring country, lauding its policies.

The people of Chinatown, however, have largely stayed away from the hustle and bustle of the election but this time around, the scenario has changed.

Kolkata's Chinese connect has taken a new form and shape, with people in this part of the city coming out in support of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), painting the township blue and white (the colours of the ruling party) with political slogans in Mandarin.

The Chinese-origin people in the city, whose ancestors moved here in the 18th century, are mostly involved in the manufacture and trade of leather goods or running Chinese restaurants.

According to a study, the numbers of Chinese-origin people, which was nearly 20,000 in the city at one point of time, have dwindled over the years with many migrating to countries like Canada, the USA and Australia.

(With inputs from PTI)