North Bengal Elections: Crucial Battle Between TMC And BJP Heats Up

Cooch Behar, located in North Bengal, has turned into a battleground for political rivalry between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This area is witnessing heightened activity as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are set to hold rallies close to each other. The significance of North Bengal has grown since it leaned towards the BJP in 2019, marking a shift in political dynamics.

The upcoming elections in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, which are the three Lok Sabha constituencies in North Bengal, are scheduled for April 11. These seats are crucial, with the first two reserved for Scheduled Castes and the third for Scheduled Tribes. The entire state is preparing for a seven-phase election. In 2019, the BJP made significant gains by winning seven out of eight seats in North Bengal, highlighting its growing influence in the region.

With ambitions set high, the BJP aims to secure over 35 seats out of West Bengal's 42 Lok Sabha constituencies this election cycle. Their previous success included winning 18 seats statewide and making notable strides in the 2021 assembly elections by securing 30 of the 54 assembly seats in North Bengal's eight districts. This achievement underscored their expanding presence and support base in the area.

The implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) by the Modi government just before the Lok Sabha elections announcement is expected to play a significant role in influencing voters, especially among the Matua and Rajbanshi communities. These communities, categorized as Scheduled Castes, have previously shown support for the BJP, swayed by promises related to the CAA. The Rajbanshis, forming about 30% of North Bengal's population, are particularly pivotal in determining electoral outcomes.

In recognition of the Rajbanshi community's electoral importance, TMC has nominated Jagadish Barma Basunia, a member of this community, to contest against Union minister Nisith Pramanik in Cooch Behar. This move underlines the seat's significance for both parties, especially after recent clashes between supporters of Pramanik and TMC leader Udayan Guha. To counteract BJP's influence in North Bengal, Mamata Banerjee has been actively campaigning across the region.