Poll-ished Palates: Kolkata Sweet Shop Whips up Treats with a dash of Politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election Results

As the nation eagerly awaits the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on June 4, a sweet shop in the heart of Kolkata has found a unique way to engage customers and celebrate democracy. Nalin Chandra Das and Sons, located in South Kolkata, renowned for its delectable sweets, has begun crafting treats adorned with the logos of various political parties vying for victory. This innovative blend of sugary delights and political fervor has transformed the shop into a lively hub of discussion and excitement. Customers flock here not only to indulge their sweet cravings but also to express their support for their favorite political factions. After all, in Bengal, the love for sweets and politics is an inseparable bond.

“The sweets that we have made here cater to the four major political parties that hold relevance to the political scenario in Bengal. BJP, TMC, CPIM, Congress, we have them all. Although most of the customers are stopping for the TMC, and BJP ones,” said Utpal Mondal, the store manager of the outlet.

Priced at Rs. 90 each, these sweets are not merely ordinary treats—they're edible symbols of political allegiance. Embossed with iconic symbols like the lotus of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the hand of the Indian National Congress, the joint flower of the TMC, and the CPIM's hammer and sickle, each sweet is a flavorful expression of support for a different political party. “The ones with the TMC symbols are in great demand. We have had to revamp our supply system to keep up with the orders not only from the customers but also from the various political parties. We have stocked up on all ingredients, all ready to meet the inpour of orders on the results day,” said Utpal Mondal, packing a whole host of sweets into a box.

From chocolate to strawberry, mango to vanilla, this sweet shop has flavors for every palate, political inclinations included. With the scent of freshly made sweets wafting through the air and colorful party logos brightening up the shelves, this shop has taken the celebration of the festival of democracy to a whole new level. . "We wanted to do something unique to commemorate this significant event in our country's democracy. Making sweets with the logos of political parties seemed like a fun and delicious way to engage with our customers and celebrate the spirit of democracy," said Biswajit Das as he carefully removed the sweet from the mold and placed it onto the display tray.

“I had come to purchase some sweets for my family, when I stumbled upon these political treats, truly a sight to behold! Anyone familiar with the cultural dynamics of Bengal knows the bond we Bengalis share with our mishti, mutton and politics, and I feel that this sweet shop has hit the bull’s-eye with their creation,” said Prasun Banerjee as he bought a box full of “political treats”.

The 7-phase-long 2024 Lok Sabha elections concluded on June 1, and the much-anticipated results will be declared on June 4. As India braces itself for the results, one thing is certain: regardless of the victor, there will be plenty of sweets for the people of Kolkata in the grand celebration of democracy.