Two “first-timers” stood on the opposite edges of the ravine that polarisation has carved through the heart of Nandigram.
Saibul Saha, 45, used to be an active member of the CPM. On Thursday, he voted for Mamata Banerjee for the first time.
“This is now down to those from the majority community still able to hold on to their good sense and the minority community, to whom Mamata is practically the only resort…. Nandigram today, the rest of Bengal tomorrow,” said Saha, a voter in Nandigram.
Less than 5km away in Gokulnagar, Aparna Ruidas, 52, said with a shrug: “In a first, we voted for the BJP.