West Bengal’s BJP faces a tough challenge in the upcoming phase two of the Assembly elections on April 29. The party will need to improve significantly from its performance in phase one, where it secured victories in only a few constituencies. In Nadia district, a stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP managed to win just one out of seven Assembly segments.
The BJP’s success in the 2021 Assembly polls was mixed, with wins in some areas but losses in others. While the party secured victories in certain constituencies like Krishnanagar Uttar and parts of Bangaon Parliamentary constituency, it faced defeats in places like Karimpur under Murshidabad Lok Sabha. Trinamool’s dominance was evident in areas like North 24 Parganas, where they swept most Assembly constituencies.
In South 24 Parganas, the Trinamool secured a clean sweep in the 2021 state poll, except for one seat going to the Indian Secular Front. The party also maintained its stronghold in Kolkata, with the BJP aiming to make inroads. The upcoming elections will also test the BJP’s performance in districts like Howrah and Hooghly, where they managed only a few wins in the last state election.
The Matua community, a significant electoral bloc in West Bengal, has been affected by the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Allegations of targeted exclusion and delays in citizenship processes have sparked tensions between political parties. The Matuas, known for their demand for citizenship rights under the CAA, are a crucial factor in constituencies like Bidhannagar and Rajarhat, making their support highly sought after.
