They have different political beliefs but hawkers at the Brigade Parade Ground, the venue of Trinamool Congress' mammoth rally today, thank all political parties for holding rallies at the sprawling ground as it gives a big boost to their income.
"It hardly matters which political party you support when it comes to earning your living. A Brigade rally means you can earn 10 days' income in a single day," said Banshi Majhi, a CPI(M) supporter, who sells snacks at the Brigade.
"We earn around Rs 300-500 everyday. But on a day of rally we earn more than Rs 2,000-3,000," said Abdul Karim, a JD(U) supporter, who sell toast and omelets in Brigade.
"Till 2 pm today, my earnings crossed Rs 3,500. On omelettes days the sale of 'bhelpuri' and chats is not more than Rs 1,000," said Raju Rajbanshi, a CPI(M) supporter, a bhelpuri seller near Victoria Memorial Hall.
Tea seller Birju Sahu sold more than five thousand cups of tea till 12 noon, which is five times more than normal days.
"It would be great if such rallies are organised every month in Brigade. No matter which party organises it," said Sahu, a Congress supporter.
Though the hawkers are happy, daily commuters are not. They had a harrowing time in reaching their destinations, as lakhs of people from various parts of the state poured on to the streets of Kolkata for the Trinamool Congress rally.
