%u2018Khela Hobe%u2019 emerged as the most popular slogan, used by the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party alike, in the recently-concluded West Bengal polls. It was, however, the main slogan of the ruling TMC and was given by party man Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev.

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The slogan, which became central to poll rallies of leaders ranging from CM Mamata Banerjee to PM Narendra Modi, brought immense fame to the 24-year-old Debangshu.

Also read: What does ‘Khela Hobe’ mean?

The TMC member wrote the widely viral slogan in the run-up to the elections.

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So, what does the popularity of %u2018Khela Hobe%u2019 mean to Debangshu?

What makes him the %u201Chappiest%u201D when it comes to %u2018khela hobe’ is that %u201Ceven the Prime Minister himself is coming to this narrative of mine to %u2018play,'” Debangshu told the Free Press Journal in an interview.

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%u201CThe same PM who did not engage with Rahul Gandhi or Akhilesh Yadav or even Arvind Kejriwal, has felt the need to react to the words of a relatively unknown politician,%u201D he said.

%u201CWhat more can a person want in their political career?%u201D he asked.

Also read: How ‘Khela Hobe’ became central to Trinamool Congress’ game in West Bengal polls

What %u2018khel%u2019 did he refer to in his slogan?

TMC’s youth member wants politics to be akin to a game %u2013 a %u2018khel%u2019, %u201Cwhere people are pitted against each other only in the political arena,%u201D Debangshu told the media house.

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%u201CThere might be both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan supporters in my home. But when the match ends, we all come together as a family,%u201D he explained.

Meanwhile, Debangshu’s party is expected to clinch victory in the West Bengal Assembly election, for which votes are being counted on Sunday. Three hours after the counting began at 8 am, the TMC is leading in 187 seats, much ahead of the halfway mark of 147. 

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