IT MAY look double Dutch to most Indians, but election campaign messages in Chinese characters are being used for the first time in the bustling metropolis of Kolkata.
Slogans for local state chief minister Mamata Banerjee and against prime minister Narendra Modi, whose ruling party is trying to muscle in on West Bengal seats, have started appearing across the city's Chinatown.
Chinese Hakka people first came to Kolkata more than two centuries ago, but India's biggest Chinatown has traditionally kept politics at arm's length.
India's six week long election starts next week and this time the ruling party leader sees the eastern state as a key battleground in his bid for a second term.
In response, Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party has led the offensive for Chinese votes with graffiti and slogans on local walls.
Local Chinese youths have been helping the party spread its message, according to Swapan Samaddar, a city councillor whose district includes Chinatown.
"Many Chinese youths are supporters and they are lending a hand," he said.
One graffiti image shows Modi being blown away in a Banerjee storm, while another plays on the prime minister's description of himself as the national "watchman", saying in characters: "Watchman is a thief".
"It's good to send the message of the ruling Trinamool Congress to the Chinese community in China Town. We are happy to see it," said Chen Khoi Kui, secretary of the Chinese Youth Club, a welfare organisation.
"It’s a novel venture that draws the attention of voters."
Despite the deep historical roots, the Chinese population has dwindled in recent decades to about 1,000 people. The district is still renowned for its Chinese restaurants which are popular in India even though rivalry with the giant neighbour is intense.
"Many Chinese who have been living this city for a long time still prefer to speak in their own language amongst themselves," said Chen.
(AFP)
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)