'Khela Hobe': How a sports chant has become Bengal's election mantra

If you are at all following the day-to-day happenings of the political campaigns ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, you must have heard the catchphrase "Khela Hobe" doing the rounds among the people of the state. "Khela Hobe", a Bengali phrase that translates in English as "Game on" proves how the political atmosphere in the state has charged up to become an extravagant showdown like a World Cup. It also symbolises Bengal's unbridled passion for sports.

While Bengalis usually associate 'Khela Hobe' with their 'boro match' or the Kolkata derby between its two legendary football clubs - East Bengal (presently, SC East Bengal) and Mohun Bagan (merged presently as ATK Mohun Bagan) - the clarion call this time finds a stimulating meaning in the battle between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

TMC spokesperson and general secretary of its youth wing, Debangshu Bhattacharya originally wrote the lyrics for 'Khela Hobe'. The song, which took the form of a rap, became a hot favourite among the people of the state and could be heard being played in full volume at birthday parties, wedding ceremonies and even during Saraswati puja.

Right from the opening lines, the song delves into accusing BJP as the outsiders in Bengal. The opening lines go - "Baire theke bargi ashe/Niyom kore proti mashe/Amio achi, tumio robe/Bondhu ebar khela hobe!" (Bargis come from outside/Visit the state every month/While I am here, and you are also here/Friend, the game is on). It compares BJP as being the 'bargis', who were Maratha Empire's troops who invaded and plundered Bengal for about ten years.

The song then goes on to describe how many of the erstwhile party members of TMC have now joined hands with BJP and how the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has benefitted the people of the state with many of its welfare schemes, such as the Swastha-sathi.

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day on February 21, Chief Minister Banerjee also used the 'khela hobe' slogan. "The game is on and I will be the goalkeeper. Let's see who wins," she said. After the alleged attack on CM Banerjee last week, which resulted in her foot being plastered, a cartoon snippet of Times of India designed by Sandeep Adhvaryu became popular. The cartoon snippet depicts the same incident in which Mamata Banerjee is seen putting her plastered foot on a football, with the caption 'Khela Hobe'. The post became viral and was shared by people all across India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also threw a direct challenge to TMC from his Brigade rally in Kolkata, and said, "TMC ka khela shesh. Khel khatam, vikas shuru" (TMC's game is over. The game ends, development begins). As the mercury soars in anticipation of the West Bengal elections which start on March 27, many such creative slogans have shaped up as war cries of different political parties. However, 'Khela Hobe' continues to retain its separate fan base for its instant likeability and sporting connotations.