Ahead of the crucial assembly elections, West Bengal is witnessing high-voltage political campaigning. Political parties are using jibes, counter-jibes and catchy slogans to woo the voters, who’ll determine their future for the next five years.

With the first phase of polling to be held on March 27, let’s take a look at some slogans that have shaped this year’s political battle in West Bengal.

Khela Hobe

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses an event in Kolkata

‘Khela Hobe’ has become the most popular slogan in this Assembly election. The slogan, reportedly coined by Trinamool Congress’ Debangshu Bhattacharya, is being used extensively by the party leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is seeking its maiden rule in the state, is countering it with its own take.

Also read: What does ‘Khela Hobe’ mean? Mamata Banerjee’s slogan for upcoming elections in West Bengal

Using the slogan to attack TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, PM Narendra Modi at a rally in West Bengal’s Purulia said, “Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole chaakri hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole vikas hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole shiksha hobe….Khela shesh hobe, vikas aarambh hobe…”

Jai Shri Ram

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah addresses an election campaign rally in Bankura, West Bengal.

Although a religious slogan, ‘Jai Shri Ram’ has been used extensively by the BJP during election campaigns, including in West Bengal. From stirring the crowd to chant the slogan to attacking the ruling-TMC and Banerjee, accusing them “disliking” it, the slogan is central to the saffron party’s campaign.

Banerjee’s refusal to speak at an event on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which was also attended by Modi, further emboldens the saffron party that claims TMC does appeasement politics.

Bangla nijer meyekei chaay:

West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee addresses an election campaign in West Midnapore district.

The official slogan of the TMC means ‘Bengal wants its own daughter’. It hits at the heart of the insider-outsider debate. However, it’s the opposite in Nandigram, from where she’s contesting, where her protege-turned-opponent Suvendu Adhikari, projects her as the outsider. Adhikari is contesting from the seat on BJP’s ticket.

Also read: ‘Street fighter’ Mamata says Bengal doesn’t want ‘Dushasana, Mir Jafar’

Asol Poribortan

PM Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally in Kharagpur, West Bengal.

Also read: ‘BJP is the only real party of West Bengal’: PM Narendra Modi in Kharagpur

This is BJP’s official election slogan in the state and is used extensively by its leaders. It literally means ‘real change’. It’s both used to attack the TMC over development issues, as well as telling voters that the BJP will bring ‘asol poribortan’.