A pall of silence greeted everyone as people stood huddled together and talked in low voices, wondering who's the next in line. But, it was Chandan Bhattacharya, the area's popular astrologer and Madan's neighbour, who found his 20-year-old prediction coming true on Friday.
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They were not exactly best of friends, but would of ten be seen together in local 'addas'. "He was not a big guy then and would often ask me to read his palm. Madan always believed in astrology . It was way back in 1994. I would always point out to a significant box-like formation on his right palm that indicated rajdanda or punishment meted out by the state. He was very ambitious and would ask if he would ever become an MLA. I would always warn him about imprisonment between age 58 and 60 and that is what has happened. He will go through a very tough time for at least a year and a half," Bhattacharya said.
Mitra has a strong bonding with the local youths who are his ardent supporters. They stood like sentinels opposite the entrance of his house trying to stop anyone who tried to come near the gate, especially the media. The police also stood guard at the gate, stopping strangers from coming near the house. "These days, I would only see him from a distance. But earlier, he would come to buy grocery items from my shop which is over 55 years old. I had a sinking feeling that he might not come back home today. I was closely following the news," said grocer Shyamal Nandy, whose shop is at a stone's throw from Mitra's residence. Tailor Dulal Halder, whose shop is adjacent to Mitra's house, also looked sad. "I would see him leave and come back everyday . Naturally , there was a mental association. Won't you feel bad if you come to know that your neighbour has been arrested? Logic says that law will take its own course, but even then..." Halder said.
Seventy-six-year old BhabeshBanerjee, who owns a dispensary located opposite Mitra's house, recalls the minister as a child who would come to his father for treatment. "My father HarenBanerjee was a general physician and the entire Mitra family would come here. He was such a friendly and softspoken child. But times change, you see," said the old man.
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