- The Election Commission (EC) has announced polling dates for the ensuing assembly elections to the four states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry starting March onwards. Interestingly, the West Bengal elections will have staggered days of polling spread over eight phases. Results are expected to be announced in the first week of May. The outcome of these elections will have a definite bearing on how national politics will unfold in the coming days. The Bharatiya Janata Party at the Center will be keen to not only further extend its footprints but also make decisive inroads into newer territories of TN and Bengal.
PC: economic times
- As the ruling dispensation in Assam, the BJP is expecting to consolidate its hold over the state as well as the entire north-east region where it has made a significant presence in all eight states over the last few years. It appears to be on a strong wicket in Assam albeit the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) which will be a tricky issue posing some uncomfortable situations. With no real opposition worth taking on the might of the BJP juggernaut, including the struggling Indian National Congress, the results of Assam would be keenly watched by the political fraternity.
- However, every single individual thoroughly interested in the political unraveling will be keen to watch how the results of West Bengal will turn-out. Even before the poll bugle was sounded, West Bengal has been hogging certain limelight simply because the BJP strongly believes it is firmly positioned this time around anti-incumbency to topple the mercurial and temperamental Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress government. The BJP stalwarts, right from the Prime Minister to Home Minster to Party president, have made a beeline to the state over the previous months taking on the might of the maverick Bengali leader with a hope to make a maiden entry there.
PC: Manasa Rao
- The scenario in Tamil Nadu is quite opposite as the two Dravidian parties viz. DMK and AIADMK are expected to fight it out amongst themselves. The BJP’s ally AIADMK administers Tamil Nadu and it will be interesting to observe who would emerge as the eventual winner. Thus, these states will hold the key for the BJP to consolidate its footprints pan-India. Of course, Kerala and Puducherry will have very little impact on the fortunes of the BJP. Any gains made over in Kerala will be a welcome one though. Conversely, any setback in Assam and Bengal would bring the opposition roaring back into contention in national politics reenergizing parties to pose a tremendous fight against the Modi-Shah steamroller chugging along unhindered so far.
- Most importantly, any poll reversal would stymie many reformist measures in the anvil. Apart from the thrust placed on the economic reforms like disinvestment and privatization, farm policies, high fuel prices, and growing voices against some of the policies of the BJP government will gain traction. Especially, if Mamata Banerjee led TMC storms back to power, the lively leader will emerge even stronger to take on the might of the BJP positioning her as the prima donna amongst the opposition ranks. The summer of 2021 promises lots of political action.
