Chatting with passengers in a local train, fishing, playing football with children or even painting their own grafitti are some of the new campaign ways thought up by candidates contesting the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal.

Sujan Chakraborty, the sitting CPI(M) MP from Jadavpur, who is seeking to retain his seat, surprised many when he entered a train compartment recently and chatted with passengers, but did not ask for votes.

"I don't want to plead for votes. If I can get close to the people the votes will come naturally," Chakraborty, who also turned up to play football with a group of boys in his constituency, said.

The MP's website, www.sujan.info, recently launched by CPI(M) veteran Jyoti Basu, documents his profile and provides details about his constituency, successes and performance, while inviting people to ask questions.

"People can ask me any question and I will give a reply within 24 hours. I might not be able to reach everybody personally, but I will talk to all through my website," Chakraborty said.

Chakraborty's opponent and Trinamool Congress candidate Kabir Suman, a singer and poet, does not lag far behind.
Chakraborty has been painting his own graffiti, writing songs and singing.

Suave and polished, Suman has good words to say about his rival. "He has been in Parliament and I am a newcomer, but I must say that many things in this constituency remain to be done."

Robin Deb, whom the CPI(M) has picked to take on the might of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in South Kolkata, turned up with a fishing rod.

Deb sat down to fish at a pond in his constituency and people soon gathered around him. He even caught two fish.
"This is a long-cherished dream. I found the opportunity to fish. I couldn't resist myself," he said. "I am not asking for votes.

No one should think that this is part of my poll campaign. I am just trying to meet the people and listen to their problems."

Another CPI(M) heavyweight and sitting MP, Amitava Nandi, who is seeking re-election from the Dum Dum seat recently stopped by to play carom with a group of youths.

"These are new ways to campaign and get in touch with the people, but it is definitely adding colour to electioneering," said a CPI(M) leader.