Mines, masks, mandate: Election Despatch from Purulia, Asansol and Bankura

An India Today ground report from West Bengal captures the political sentiment of people in Purulia, Asansol and Bankura ahead of the assembly election. In Purulia, Chhau dance artists share divided political loyalties between Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi, while acknowledging the state government's financial assistance of Rs 1,000 under the Lokkhir Bhandar scheme. In Asansol, the cradle of Indian coal mining, workers at Eastern Coalfields Limited express deep concerns over the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) model. Coal miners fear that privatisation will lead to job losses, increased workload, and the withdrawal of essential benefits like free electricity and water. They also highlight severe health hazards, including coal dust exposure and extreme heat inside the mines, which have affected multiple generations of workers. The report also features a political discussion over a game of carrom, where supporters of the Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Left Front debate their electoral prospects, development, and the safety of Hindus in the state.