The political situation in West Bengal keeps acquiring intriguing with each and every passing day. Days soon after Bihar Leader of Opposition and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav gave more than a courtesy take a look at to Chief Minister Banerjee, other regional parties have also thrown their weight behind the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state. Partners in the ruling coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra – Shiv Sena and NCP – have extended help to Banerjee. Interestingly, Congress is contesting the West Bengal polls with CPI(M) against Mamata Banerjee’s TMC even though in Maharashtra, it is a element of the Maha Vikash Aghadi.
Shiv Sena supremo and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar have extended their help to the TMC alternatively of the Congress in West Bengal. RJD also fought the Bihar polls in alliance with Congress.
After meeting Banerjee, Tejashwi Yadav had mentioned that he will help Mamata Banerjee wherever necessary. He has mentioned that the priority is to hold the BJP away from winning energy in the state.
Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut yesterday mentioned that the present situation in Bengal appears like a ‘Didi vs All’ fight and therefore Shiv Sena has decided not to contest the polls and stand in solidarity with Mamata Banerjee.
— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) March 4, 2021
According to reports, Pawar also spoke to Banerjee yesterday extending his help. He also expressed disappointment more than the Congress’ alliance with the Indian Secular Front of Abbas Siddiqui.
Three days ago, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also extended his moral help to Banerjee, saying that he would urge his effectively-wishers to help Mamata Banerjee. Notably, the SP had also contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections in alliance with Congress.
The Congress campaign seems to be in disarray in the state with a quantity of contradictions inside the party itself more than its alliance with Siddiqui. Congress leader and one amongst G-23 leaders, Anand Sharama had questioned the party more than allying with the ISF in Bengal saying that ‘such forces militates against the core ideology of the party and Gandhian and Nehruvian secularism’. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had termed Sharma’s statement as an try ‘to undermine the party in tune with BJP’s agenda’.
Congress can’t be selective in fighting communalists but need to do so in all its manifestations, irrespective of religion and colour. The presence and endorsement West Bengal PCC President is painful and shameful, he need to clarify.
— Anand Sharma (@AnandSharmaINC) March 1, 2021
In West Bengal Assembly Election 2016, the BJP had won just 3 seats. CPI had won one, CPI(M) 26, Congress 44 even though the ruling TMC had won huge 211 seats in the 294-member assembly. The BJP had widened its attain in the state in 2019 Lok Sabha polls by winning 18 seats out of 42 parliamentary constituencies even though the TMC had bagged 22. Congress had won just two seats.
Elections in the eastern state will be held in eight phases. The voting for the initially phase will take spot on March 27 even though the polling for the final phase will be held on April 29. The outcomes will be declared on May 2.