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Bengal is without doubt one of the only a few states the place the BJP is placing up a fierce battle in opposition to a powerful regional social gathering, the Trinamool Congress, Sanjay Singh of the Centre for the Research of Growing Societies mentioned.

The BJP has fought in opposition to the Congress in a number of states and even defeated it in most states, however it’s dealing with robust opposition from the ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal and placing up a formidable battle, he mentioned.

“I feel it is a neck and neck battle in Bengal. There was only a 3% distinction between the BJP and the TMC in 2019. Even the distinction between the variety of seats received by the 2 was not very vital – BJP received 18, whereas the Trinamool received 22. 

“A minuscule 2% change can have a big impact. If the BJP manages to achieve by 2-3%, the Trinamool will find yourself shedding almost seven seats. And if the other occurs and the BJP loses round 4%, it will likely be diminished to single digits within the state. Let’s examine what occurs,” he mentioned.

Senior journalist and BJP chief Swapan Dasgupta echoed him and mentioned, “Journalists find it irresistible when there is a neck and neck battle. Caste grew to become a factor within the polls for the primary time in 2019. Earlier than that, the dominant narrative of the CPIM was of sophistication – the working class, the struggling plenty, and so on. These have been essential classes. However when the BJP began successful north Bengal and the jungle mahals, that is when the problem of group was first assumed. The main target moved to Matuas. Kurmis grew to become an essential issue. Since 1971, no nationwide social gathering has ever received a majority of seats within the Lok Sabha from Bengal.”

Talking concerning the violence within the state earlier than, throughout, and after most elections, Mr Dasgupta mentioned, “It’s a nice legacy left by the nice Communists. Political violence of this scale shouldn’t be solely one thing that the Communists launched, however the intellectuals of the Communists glorified. Even the Trinamool was a sufferer of this within the days it was combating the CPIM. Right this moment, these tough and prepared strategies sadly have develop into the brand new regular in Bengal. That is one thing, no matter which facet you might be on, there must be some form of unanimity that this violence ought to cease. Total society will get vitiated.”

Bengal is witnessing a predominant BJP vs Trinamool battle on all of the 42 Lok Sabha seats within the state. Nevertheless, the Congress and the Left are additionally combating an existential battle within the state. Though the Trinamool, Congress, and the Left are all part of the mega INDIA bloc – the Opposition alliance within the centre, in Bengal a typical floor couldn’t be reached and the three are contesting in opposition to each other.

Bengal is voting in all seven phases of the present process Lok Sabha elections. Votes can be counted on June 4.