Long wait for transport near Bhabanipur counting centre on BJP's victory night

KOLKATA: (May 5) Long after the BJPs victory celebrations spilt onto the streets of Kolkata following the assembly poll results on Monday night, 70-year-old Kusum Kumari remained stranded at a major crossing bus stop, close to the counting centre in the high-profile Bhabanipur seat, waiting for a ride home.

Around her, the city pulsed with victory chants. Cars decked with BJP flags sped past in noisy convoys. Young men leaned out of windows shouting Jai Shri Ram, motorcycles zigzagged through traffic carrying saffron banners, and loud music from celebration processions echoed through the area well past 10 pm.

But Kumari was not part of the festivities. Draped in a faded sea-green synthetic saree and clutching a bulky, weather-stained white bag close to her chest, she stood under the dim streetlights, hoping a bus to Kasba would finally arrive. it never did.