- In recent times, the high-voltage state assembly election in West Bengal has garnered remarkable attention from across the country for various reasons. People closely following the fortunes of political parties and electoral processes must have noticed how the two main protagonists, viz. the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress, have been engaged in bitter campaigning ever since the saffron brigade established a significant presence in the most important eastern state. As we know, the fiery three-time Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was aiming for a successive fourth win against the increasingly combative BJP, which was hellbent on breaching the once formidable fort. What eventually turned out was a spectacular electoral victory for the BJP.
PC: Frontline – The Hindu
- The resounding mandate accorded by the people of West Bengal, favouring the BJP, must come as little surprise, knowing how the saffron brigade’s election campaign machinery undertakes every election operation with such finesse. One must feel amazed and in awe looking at how the BJP’s election machinery relentlessly chugs along without ever encouraging the thought of taking it easy. No election is considered less, and hence, tremendous thrust is placed on planning, preparation, and execution by not missing out on minute details. The results are there for all to see as the BJP leaves behind indelible footprints of its spread and reach across the large swathe of landscape in the country. Undoubtedly, the decimation of TMC in West Bengal is a telling story of determination.
PC: NDTV
- Note that the preparation for the gruelling electoral battle in West Bengal started right from the time the BJP lost out to the incumbent TMC in the 2021 elections, despite undertaking an all-out campaign to win. Back then, the emphasis was on a hardcore Hindutva narrative interspersed with nationalism and polarization planks that could not evoke a strong response from the Bengal electorate. The shrewd TMC satrap utilized the outsider versus insider narrative successfully, thereby thwarting the saffron surge in the state. However, this time around, the BJP was not only well prepared but also stuck to issues that would closely resonate with the ground realities. What were the main electoral highlights/strategies of the BJP’s victorious campaign?
PC: Daily Pioneer
- Women’s empowerment, employment opportunities, youth outreach, anti- corruption crusade, and of course, the cash dole-outs alongside promises of guarantees, without hankering too much about the usual Hindutva narrative. This was made easier for the BJP since the TMC’s rampant corruption and commission/cuts at the ground levels were smartly exploited. Emphasis on the minority appeasement from the ruling dispensation was diligently communicated during the electioneering leading to the majority consolidation. How can one not mention the presence of the indefatigable and extremely popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lent great credibility to the campaign? Yes, the Chanakya of the BJP, Amit Shah, deserves huge accolades for strategizing a winning formula. A special mention to Suvendu Adhikari is par for the course as well.
