KOLKATA, May 3: Fish, jhalmuri and regional identity became unlikely symbols in the TMC-BJP fight for over a month. With Bengal now all agog for the EVMs to open on Monday, the state looks to cap off the bitterly fought battle with sweets drenched in the hues of every political party.

From saffron-coloured "Modishree" and "Joy Bangla" confection dyed in the Trinamool Congress' green to rose-flavoured red sweet christened "Lal Salam" of the Left, confectioners across the West Bengal capital are now ready for brisk business, dishing out desserts that fit the occasion.Kolkata-based sweetmakers said orders and enquiries from party workers and supporters have already started pouring in as anticipation builds over whether Bengal will witness a change of guard or the incumbent will continue to rule.At the iconic KC Das and Nobin Chandra Das sweetmeat outlets, there is frenzied activity, as confectioners race against time to prepare huge quantities of rosogollas and rajbhogs dyed to the colours of each political party."The saffron-coloured kesar-flavoured sandesh has been named 'Modishree', inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tasting the sweet during his last visit to Kolkata for an election campaign," Dhiman Das, the director of the firm that runs outlets of both brands, told PTI.Its green variant with gondhoraj (a version of lime) flavour linked to the TMC has been christened "Joy Bangla", the rallying cry of the ruling party, he said.Das said the outlets would largely prepare rosogolla and rajbhog varieties, while several other confectioners are preparing customised sandesh carrying party colours and symbols.
Confectioners said local political workers have informally spoken to them about the supply of sweets, though the orders would be firmed up only after the result trends become clearer on Monday. (PTI)