Roadside Jitters

A few weeks ago when mayor B.R. Bhattacharya announced that roadside hawkers would be allowed space from where they were evicted some years ago, it evoked sharp rebukes from CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. But on March 12, with polls round the corner, the CM did a smart U-turn. At a CITU rally, Buddha said the hawkers’ right to livelihood has to be looked at in a more humane manner, especially since the state government had been unable to provide them with an alternative venue or occupation. There had been considerable heartburn within the citu when the CM criticised the mayor’s announcement. Buddha’s a canny man, the last thing he wants is trouble from the unions at election time.