A day after West Bengal Assembly election results were declared, residents of Bhowanipore in Kolkata — including traditional idol-makers — expressed a mix of relief, optimism, and expectations from the incoming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The community spoke of longstanding challenges and the changes they now hope to see under the new administration.

Mood on the Ground

Several locals described the election outcome as a historic turning point for the state. "Today is a new sunrise for Bengal, and the people of Bengal have attained true freedom. All forms of past hooliganism and wrongdoing have come to an end. This is a very big and historic day. By giving such a massive mandate, people have shown their trust in the BJP," a resident told IANS.

Another resident reflected on the broader need for periodic political change. "Governments should change every 5 to 10 years; it leads to better development. Now that a BJP government has come, development in Bengal may increase. PM Modi is doing very good work," he said.

Idol-Makers Cite Years of Hardship

Members of the murtikar (idol-maker) community said their livelihoods had been under significant strain. They cited disruptions in the supply of essential raw materials such as mud, a lack of institutional support, and allegations that access to benefits and opportunities was often tied to political compliance.

"We have faced a lot of problems. Even the supply of mud was stopped at times. Our children were given small jobs, but only if we followed certain orders. Now we are hoping the new government will work for us without such conditions," a resident told IANS.

One artisan, whose family has practised the craft for three generations, described the difficult working conditions. "We have been making idols for three generations — Maa Durga, Maa Kali, Ganesh ji and others. But we have very little space. We don't have godowns, and getting loans is very difficult. Because of this, we are forced to keep idols on the footpath," he said.

The community is now looking to the incoming government for concrete relief. "With the change in government, we hope our problems will be addressed — whether it is storage, loans, or work opportunities," the artisan added.

Women Voice Safety Expectations

Women in Bhowanipore also articulated expectations of improved safety and empowerment under the new dispensation. "A BJP government will be very beneficial, especially for women. The pressure that people felt will now be lifted. This is a golden day, and we believe women will feel safer under the new administration," a local woman told IANS.

Significance of the Bhowanipore Result

Notably, residents also referenced the defeat of the sitting Chief Minister in the constituency, a result that added symbolic weight to the BJP's performance in the seat. "We are very happy that the BJP has won. We are also happy that the Chief Minister has lost here. Now we just hope idol-makers and common people will not face problems and will get steady work — that is our expectation," said another resident.

This comes amid a broader political shift in West Bengal, where the BJP's gains have upended years of established political dominance. Whether the incoming government translates community expectations into tangible policy action — particularly for artisanal communities like the murtikars — will be the defining test of its early months in office.