Bengal Elections: Mamata's 'Trinamool Model' Vs BJP's 'Parivartan Sankalp', Close Contest
Bengal elections have again become a 'bi-polar' struggle between Trinamool and BJP. Opinion polls are indicating a close contest. Trinamool is relying on Mamata's welfare schemes and 'Bengal ki Beti' narrative, while allegations of corruption are a challenge. BJP is looking for 'change' by making law and order and unemployment issues. The Left Front and Congress are marginalised, making this election a battle of 'trust versus change'.
The Bengal election fight is likely to be bipolar.
Jaykrishna Vajpayee, Kolkata. Bengal's election battle is once again becoming 'bi-polar', where on one side is Mamata Banerjee's 'Trinamool Model' and on the other side is BJP's 'Parivartan Sankalp'. Opinion poll data released by various survey agencies regarding the elections also indicates a close contest. Trinamool is confident that the Mamata government's welfare schemes like Lakshmi Bhandar will maintain its foothold in rural Bengal and among women voters.
Apart from this, the narrative of āBengal ki Betiā and the issue of local identity remains the biggest trump card for Trinamool. Apart from this, to neutralize the anti-incumbency wave, this time the party has made changes in the tickets on a large scale and has fielded new faces. However, serious allegations of corruption are like a "red signal" for TMC. There are also issues of teacher recruitment scam and alleged irregularities in ration distribution, which have created discontent.
BJP trying to convert dissatisfaction into votes
The BJP is trying to convert this dissatisfaction into a vote of "change", in which law and order and unemployment have been made the main weapons. In this great contest, the Left Front and Congress are entering the field separately. However, both the parties once again seem to be on the margins.
Between the estimate of five to 10 seats, Congress has chosen a different path this time, while the Left parties have joined hands with Naushad Siddiqui's party ISF. An interesting twist is visible in Muslim-dominated areas like Murshidabad, where Humayun Kabir's association with Owaisi may make a dent in Trinamool's traditional minority vote bank.
BJP claims to get more than 160 seats
While Abhishek is claiming a historic victory, BJP's internal assessment is talking about taking the party's seats beyond 160. Overall, the Bengal elections have now become a battle not on any single issue, but of ātrust versus changeā. Will Mamata's welfare magic outweigh the allegations of corruption or will BJP write a new history of power in Bengal? The decision will be taken on May 4, but at present every corner of Bengal is witnessing a fierce political conflict.
Also read- Government will open driving schools in 120 aspirational districts and 500 blocks