What began as a routine nomination day quickly turned into a political spectacle — with echoes of Uttar Pradesh — as bulldozers rumbled into the heart of Buniyadpur, South Dinajpur, sparking both curiosity and controversy.
The “bulldozer”— a machine that has come to symbolise the “tough on crime” image of the UP government led by Yogi Adityanath —made an unexpected cameo in Bengal’s election theatre. And just like in Uttar Pradesh, it didn’t arrive quietly.
On Thursday, BJP candidates Debabrata Majumdar (Harirampur) and Tapas Roy (Kushmandi) headed to the Gangarampur Sub-Divisional Officer’s office to file their nominations for the West Bengal Assembly Election. But before the paperwork came the pageantry.
A massive procession — led by Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar and district leaders — rolled out from Saraihat, complete with pounding drums, masked dancers, DJ beats, and thousands of party workers. Yet, amid all the colour and chaos, it was two hulking bulldozers that stole the spotlight.
As they trundled through the streets, the machines drew crowds, cameras, and questions—turning a campaign rally into a symbolic showdown.
The procession was eventually stopped at the Buniyadpur bus stand under tight security, with police and central forces ensuring order. The candidates then proceeded with a small delegation to file their nominations, later expressing confidence in their electoral prospects.
But the bulldozers? They refused to stay quiet— even after the engines stopped.
While Roy chose to remain tight-lipped on the issue, Majumdar offered a carefully worded dodge: “How supporters arrive is their own matter.”
Across the aisle, the reaction was anything but restrained.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Biplab Mitra launched a sharp attack, alleging that the display signalled an attempt to import a model of “oppression” into Bengal. “People here understand their intent. There is no space for such politics,” he said.
The “bulldozer controversy,” long debated in Uttar Pradesh — where authorities have used heavy machinery to demolish properties of alleged offenders — has often divided opinion. Supporters hail it as swift justice, critics argue it sidesteps due process and disproportionately targets certain groups.
Back in Buniyadpur, however, nuance took a backseat to narrative.
BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar embraced the symbolism head-on. “The bulldozers are a sign of change,” he declared, before raising the stakes: “Why stop at South Dinajpur? Soon, bulldozers will roll across all of West Bengal.”
Then came the punchline—equal parts politics and performance: “Our candidate is a bit mischievous, that’s why there were two bulldozers. Even TMC will be dancing to the DJ beats.”
In an election season already buzzing with high-voltage campaigning, Buniyadpur’s nomination day proved one thing: sometimes, it’s not just the candidates making statements— the machines do too.
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