Kolkata: Kamalabhog, laddoo sweeten poll celebrations

KOLKATA: Did you return empty-handed after scouring all the sweet shops in your locality — and beyond — for kamalabhog or laddoo on Friday morning? Fret not, you are not the only one to go through the ordeal. Even before what is known as “office time” in the city, the items were stocked out and orders kept pouring in, thanks to BJP supporters’ celebrations that spilled over to Friday after the saffron surge across the country.
Most sweet shop owners said they were expecting bulk orders from Trinamool supporters and had factored it in but they had made conservative arrangements for “saffron” condiments. After sundown of Thursday, phone calls started pouring in from BJP offices and supporters for readymade laddoos and kamalabhog. Advance orders were placed for lotus-embossed chenna sandesh as well.
Bachharam, for example, conceded that never before did they sell laddoos in such a huge quantity in such a short span of time. “We sold 50% more and we were stocked out in no time. There were orders still pouring in. So from the wee hours of Friday, our kitchen at the Kasba Industrial Estate has been making mounds of laddoos as per order. Our Tiretta Bazar outlet has been getting the maximum order, thanks to its proximity to the central BJP office,” said Subhojit Ghosh, owner of Banchharam.
Sweet shop employers busy making laddoos
Nalin Chandra Das has been busy boxing the special lotus sandesh that BJP supporters have ordered in hundreds. These are each of 100gm with lotus embossed on them and priced at Rs 60 a box. “By noon, I had delivered at least 600 boxes,” said owner Tapan Das. There is so much to deliver as per order that usual favourites are taking the hit.
After selling nearly 6,000 pieces of kamalabhog across eight stores in the city last evening, Balaram Mullick called it a day. BJP supporters simply swooped down and packed up all that was available. “We’ve taken extra orders and are also making additional numbers to cope with the rush. We are expecting things to remain like this at least till the weekend,” said Lopamudra Mullick, the owner. The shop has also made special lotus sandesh on order, which it has also displayed on its shelves across stores.
All sweet shop owners said they were expecting orders from winners of other parties as well but that was yet to come. Some veterans like KC Das and Bhim Nag were also approached by BJP supporters for laddoos and kamalabhog but they have declined to take orders. “We don't make kamalabhog except in winter because we use real oranges and not flavours,” said Dhiman Das of KC Das. “Bhim Nag is famous for its sandesh, but we never digress from our traditional offerings to go for lotus or any party symbol,” said Pradip Nag, owner of Bhim Nag.