Indian politicians are campaigning while holding fish. What is going on?14 hours agoSoutik BiswasIndia correspondent
BBC A group of men and women wearing traditional attire campaign in Kolkata city pose for a photo. Two men at the centre are holding platters with big fish on them, while others around them hold colourful banners and placardsBBC
Ruling Trinamool Congress leaders campaign with fish as a symbol of identity in Kolkata

On a sticky morning in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, Koustav Bagchi moves from door to door in a crisp white and red traditional attire, a fish in hand.

Drums thud behind him as supporters chant his name. A lawyer-turned-politician and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s candidate from Barrackpore in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, Bagchi is banking on the piscine prop to do the quiet work of persuasion.