The family keeps away from flashlights and always sticks to the party line. ‘‘The massive mandate has proved that the people in Bengal believe it is the Left Front which can ensure development and growth of the state. It also proved that the people have faith in Buddhadeb. They have given an opportunity to him to work more, to perform more. I have always been by his side in his efforts and will continue to do so. I am confident he will do it,’’ she told The Sunday Express.

Lifestyle hasn’t changed a bit for her husband as well. Bhattacharjee is an intensely private person. So much so that he shuns a cellphone and never carries one. Friend Pabitra Sarkar explains it is because he considers cellphone an invasion of privacy.

He also does not like the privacy of his home and family to be disturbed at all. One of his first reactions after becoming the chief minister in November 2000 was: ‘‘I am not going to leave my two-room flat for an official chief minister’s residence.’’ Till date, Bhattacharjee sticks to his vow despite a couple of police attempts to shift him on grounds of security.

Like tea and cigarettes, another Bhattacharjee favourite is the quintessential Bengali adda at Nandan. Whenever time permits, he visits Nandan in the evenings to discuss with his friends the latest in films, music and literature.

Ansu Sur, former director of Kolkata Film Festival who has watched the chief minister from close quarters, says: ‘‘An intense follower of films, Bhattacharjee takes personal initiative in selecting films for the Kolkata festival and watches most of them before those are screened.’’

... contd.