The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to expand its presence, are locked in a tough contest in the state.
Muffled voices, a sense of fear, and lingering conversations filled the crowded markets of Siliguri in West Bengal. Political activity is on the rise in the north Bengal city, known as the “gateway to northeastern India”, as voting approaches on Thursday (April 23).
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to expand its presence, are locked in a tough contest in the state. Just like the situation reported by HT from Kolkata earlier, people in North Bengal are speaking in hushed and hushed voices about the upcoming elections, indicating uncertainty about the high-stakes election.
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I visited three of the most popular markets in Siliguri, namely Bidhan Market, Seth Srilal Market and Hong Kong Market, to better understand the mood among people who have worked there for years. HT reached out to nearly 30 people across markets, but only a few agreed to speak.
“Amar Bhoy Lagshi One of the shop owners said: “I feel afraid,” refusing to comment on any political party.
While most were silent during the conversations, a few were loud and vocal about their thoughts. “TMC will win. Joy Bangla. Mamata Banerjee will win for sure. TMC will win at least 230 to 240 seats,” said Khokhan Das, 49, a shop owner. Another trader had a different point of view. “BJP will win. This time it is clear.”
Jobs dominate concerns, and women’s safety appears strong
Among those contacted, opinions were evenly divided. Fifty percent supported the TMC, while the remaining fifty percent supported the BJP.
Notably, the BJP raised women’s safety as a major issue against the state government. “During the BJP regime, women and girls will be able to roam freely anywhere, anytime. A BJP government means ensuring women’s safety. This is the main difference between a BJP government and a harsh TMC government,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a rally in Katwa in East Burdwan a few days ago.
However, views on the ground do not exactly match this claim.
A 42-year-old shop owner, who requested to remain anonymous, said: “The situation is not as bad as it seems. Our girls here go back to their homes even at midnight without fear. I go back early myself, but women can move around safely even at night.”
At the same time, unemployment is a major concern for people, which may upset the TMC. “We need jobs,” said a 45-year-old shop owner, talking about her daughter, who studied psychology. “I worked hard and sent my daughter to Bengaluru to study, but there are no job opportunities for her here.”
Differing views on SIR for electoral lists
The Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI), has emerged as a hot topic ahead of the polls. There is a dispute between the poll body and the state government over the removal of several names from the voters’ lists.
At a media interaction in Kolkata last month, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “Names are being deleted in a targeted manner… The entire system has become the vanishing washing machine of the BJP. They have disappeared democracy and people’s rights. I am disgusted and ashamed. The people of West Bengal will give a befitting response.”
People in Siliguri have different opinions about this practice and how to handle it in the election-related state.
“It has to be done,” said one shopkeeper who chose to remain anonymous. “We may have to stand in queues, but those who have all the documents have not faced much delay.”
“Only those whose names were removed are facing problems,” said Robbie Roy, a 38-year-old businessman. “The Election Commission said their names can be added again later.”
However, Khokhan Das told HT that the names of people who had lived in Bengal for 50 to 60 years had been removed, saying the SIR exercise “killed us”.
“Sir we have already been killed. The names of people who have lived in Bengal for the last fifty to sixty years have been removed,” he said.
Read also | Kolkata’s Chinatown is filled with Mandarin-language election posters and muted political sounds
If not Didi, then who?: No ‘strong’ PM face, ‘outsider’ tag haunts BJP
In a direct swipe at Modi, Mamata Banerjee, often called ‘Didi’, had earlier described him and his party as ‘outsiders’ while presenting herself as ‘Banglar niger me’ (daughter of Bengal itself).
“You are not a voter in Bengal, you are an outsider,” she said at a rally in Tarakeshwar district of Hooghly district, demanding that Modi resign from the post of prime minister and then announce his candidacy in the state assembly elections.
The BJP is counting on Prime Minister Modi’s popularity to challenge the Trinamool Congress chief, one of its most powerful political opponents.
“People here say that the BJP is a non-Bengali party,” said an elderly voter who asked to remain anonymous. “They say it quietly, but that is how many people feel now.”
A shop owner shared a similar view. “It’s definitely an outside party,” she added.
“We do not consider BJP. We support TMC. Mamata Banerjee Zindabad,” Das said.
Exceptions exist, of course. One of them said: “This is just political talk. Anyone born in India belongs here. If someone contests elections anywhere in India, it should not be a problem. Winning is part of politics.”
Another major concern for the party seeking to oust the TMC government is the lack of a “strong” Prime Minister who can take on Banerjee.
The only shop owner who chose to speak said after a long silence: “We need someone from the younger generation. Someone who is educated, intelligent, honest, and clean.”
“Maybe Suvendu (Adhikari). He could become prime minister,” a 46-year-old vegetable seller told me.
Meanwhile, Roy said: “It is a very big issue, but it is their decision. I believe the BJP will bring in someone who can represent everyone and work for everyone.”
The electoral battle appears close at this stage. Many people who spoke off the record seemed reluctant to support either side. Many of those who declined to comment said they wanted to avoid any trouble.
West Bengal will vote in two phases this year. Voting will take place in 152 parliamentary constituencies, including Siliguri, on Thursday (April 23). The remaining 142 seats will be voted on on April 29, 2026. The votes will be counted on May 4, 2026.
Aryan Mudgal is a content producer at Hindustan Times with nearly three years of experience. He is part of the digital news team at HT and enjoys covering daily news and writing long, detailed featurettes on key national and global affairs. He is particularly interested in reading and writing about Indian politics, crime and civil issues, as well as world affairs. He goes berserk when covering elections, especially Lok Sabha and polls, and is always on the lookout for new stories that can interest readers. At Hindustan Times, Aryan has covered several major events, including the Bihar Assembly elections, Maharashtra civic polls, US military action in Venezuela, the Union Budget, and the Bangladesh elections. He previously worked with the caption team at Firstpost and the news desk at Times Network, where he covered a range of events including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the war between Israel and Hamas, the war between Russia and Ukraine, student protests in Bangladesh, the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the Delhi Assembly elections, and more. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in CEP (Communication and Media, English, and Psychology) from Christ University, Bengaluru, and later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). He hails from Siliguri in West Bengal and enjoys reading about politics and daily issues related to the state. Outside of work, Aryan loves listening to music and enjoys rewatching his favorite shows.Read more
