In a swift strategic move to maintain his connect with the masses, Siliguri Mayor and TMC candidate Gautam Deb has launched a new campaign titled ‘Goutam Ke Bolo.’ This comes after the Election Commission (EC) ordered the suspension of the popular civic program ‘Talk to Mayor,’ citing violations of the Model Code of Conduct. Instead of backing down, Deb has taken the digital route to ensure that his communication with the voters remains unhindered.

Bypassing the EC Restriction: ‘Talk to Mayor’ was a weekly session where the Mayor addressed civic grievances over a government-owned phone line. Following complaints from the opposition, the EC ruled that using government infrastructure for such interaction during elections could provide an unfair advantage. Responding to this, Gautam Deb’s team quickly set up a private call center and a dedicated WhatsApp number, rebranding the initiative as ‘Goutam Ke Bolo’—modeled after the party’s successful ‘Didi Ke Bolo’ campaign.

Why the Shift Matters: Political analysts believe that in a tough battleground like Siliguri, direct accessibility is Gautam Deb’s biggest strength. By launching a private alternative, he has effectively skirted legal hurdles while keeping the grievance-redressal mechanism alive. This move serves a dual purpose: it demonstrates his commitment to “service over status” and keeps his election machinery running at a high pace without technical interruptions from the authorities.

Opposition and Public Reaction: The BJP and CPI(M) have mocked the move as a “desperate stunt,” claiming that if issues weren’t resolved in the last five years, a new phone number wouldn’t make a difference. However, for the average citizen in Siliguri, the ability to directly reach out to a senior political figure remains a significant draw. As the 2026 battle for North Bengal intensifies, Gautam Deb’s ‘Goutam Ke Bolo’ initiative highlights how tech-savvy political maneuvering is reshaping the traditional election campaign.