Bhubaneswar: In a fascinating case of how elections in one state spills over into another, Puri, a major tourist destination for Bengalis, has become an unusual backdrop for indirect campaigning linked to the poll-bound West Bengal.Barely 500 km away from the political battleground, posters of different parties canvassing for votes have dotted the temple town. Strategically placed along the marine drive, especially near Swargadwar beach and railway station, the banners target the steady stream of Bengali tourists. The Swargadwar beach area, often described as a “mini-Bengal” due to its year-round bustle of Bengali visitors, has turned into a place of indirect electoral messaging.According to the state tourism department, West Bengal remains Odisha’s largest source of domestic tourists, contributing 15,39,834 visitors in 2024—14% of the state’s total 1,09,98,819 domestic arrivals, and bulk of them visit Puri.“It feels as though Puri has turned into an extension of Bengal’s electoral theatre. We never witnessed such indirect campaigning for another state here,” said Manoranjan Tripathy, a guesthouse manager.Adding to this cross-border influence, several servitors of the Jagannath temple are reportedly engaging with Bengali devotees on behalf of political parties. Both the TMC and BJP are said to have roped in servitors and local contacts to connect with visitors during temple interactions.“Bengalis hold deep devotion for Lord Jagannath and respect us as sevaks. Because so many devotees interact with us daily, candidates approach us for indirect canvassing—and we find ourselves drawn into it,” said servitor Shyama Pujapanda.Another servitor, Krushna Chandra Samantaray, admitted: “We have put up BJP posters and are reaching out to Bengali visitors to ensure our candidates win.”Meanwhile, sources claimed that several TMC posters near the beach that focussed on the ruling party’s development agenda were mysteriously removed by unknown people.Daitapati servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra revealed he had even conducted a special puja for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. “She has Lord Jagannath’s blessings. Along with my colleagues, I am indirectly canvassing for her by invoking the deities and meeting Bengali guests,” said Dasmohapatra, who was suspended last year by the Puri Jagannath temple administration over a controversy surrounding the naming of Digha’s Jagannath temple.Yet not all servitors are convinced of her prospects. “From my interactions with devotees, I sense people are looking for change,” remarked servitor Jagannath Swain Mohapatra.Tourists themselves expressed mixed reactions, though they were amused to find reverberation of Bengal polls at Puri. “We didn’t expect Bengal’s poll ambience in Puri. Though BJP has gone all out with posters here, the ground reality back home is different. TMC remains strong,” said visitor Suyro Basu.Another tourist, Mohan Chakraborty, countered: “West Bengal has been lagging for years. Unemployment, violence, and corruption are rising. Mamata’s aggressive politics may face a stiff challenge this time.” Politics often transcends geography, especially in regions with strong cultural and social ties.
