- People closely following the political churnings in the context of India would have known how the preparations for the ensuing elections, any polls for that matter, start months before the big announcements. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has the mandate bestowed upon it by the Indian Constitution to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections. Most laudably, the ECI has not only lived up to the expectations of ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections but also gained the trust of the Indian citizens by adhering to the standard protocols with great diligence. The statutory institution has time and again ensured that every election occurring in the country is conducted with all fairness. Now, the nation is preparing for the next set of state assembly polls.
PC: National Herald
- The state assembly elections will be carried out in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry in the next few weeks. Of course, the formidable election campaign machinery of the Bharatiya Janata Party never takes its foot off the pedal, and is well known by now. The moot point to ponder over here is whether the eventual outcome of the polls in these states would have any implications for the saffron brigade whose imprints are being extended perpetually with the wins accomplished elsewhere over the last few years. Not really, one must say. Note that Assam is the only state where the BJP is in power presently, having won the last two elections. However, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to assume power in West Bengal, which is no secret either.
PC: Deccan Herald
- Ironically, even though the BJP has done extremely well in the last three Lok Sabha polls, it has not been able to achieve similar gains in the assembly polls conducted subsequently. Aggressive campaign, a slew of assurances/promises/inducements, and the top leadership personally undertaking innumerable rallies have not swayed the Bengali voters to bless the BJP decisively in the assembly polls. The streetfighter in Mamata Banerjee has ensured the BJP stays at the fringe rather than overtake her in the race to occupy the state governance. Assam polls should not throw any surprises, as the incumbent BJP appears to be headed for a successive third term even though the opposition is attempting hard to make inroads.
PC: Deccan Herald
- Down south, Tamil Nadu is a traditional pocket of Dravidian politics where the power oscillates between the DMK and the AIADMK, with the BJP making every effort to build a solid base and make its presence felt. The BJP is considered a predominantly Hindi-speaking party with no groundswell of support at the grassroots level, though. It is still building the base to make any palpable difference. The same narrative applies to Kerala, with the BJP making some inroads into the city corporation, but not much can be expected with the Congress and the Left parties holding great sway in God’s own country. The BJP is in coalition governing Puducherry and should make some gains there. Overall, the BJP will not sweat too much over the eventual poll outcome.
