Want change,but not Mamata way

He is intrepid when he narrates how he was initiated into politics,a profession,by his own admission,murkier than anything else. His fledging business of construction,hotels,apparel kept him busy before people finally realised that they had a leader among their midst.

“He was the president of the Calcutta Cloth Merchants’ Association and a host of other trader associations in Burrabazar. We used to seek his help to solve any problem that we faced — be it in business or other. So,we decided to field him from the Burrabazar constituency in 2006,” says a party supporter.

His priorities are very different from what you would expect out of him as a businessman. He is determined that if elected he would focus on Slum Redevelopment. “I will fight for a consistent policy on slum rehabilitation. There are about 40-50 slums in my constituency and every one of them is in a terrible mess. Half of the residents do not have access to drainage systems and roads. There should be planning at every step,” says Sohrab.

He is aware that his support base largely comprises businessmen who form the wholesale market of Kolkata. “I admit that they are largely neglected and yet they contribute so much to the economy of Kolkata. That is why I wholly oppose the demolition of Nandaram Market that caught fire. Many families who depend on the market will be left jobless. We cannot let that happen,” he adds.

Burrabazar has its own share of history and Sohrab laments that the election constituency was changed to Jorasanko after delimitation. “Burrabazar has been a part of my entire life. It will not let me down.”