The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is intensifying its election campaign for the second phase of the two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal, as the party is locked in a tough electoral contest against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). In order to influence voters of the 142-member assembly of 294 seats that will vote on April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold multiple rallies across the state starting Thursday, even as the first round of polling is scheduled for 152 seats. Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with several national and international BJP leaders will also participate in a series of upcoming rallies and roadshows.
Although the BJP is relying heavily on Modi and the Shah to motivate cadre and voters, the party has chosen to keep the focus on state leaders who have been addressing public rallies and roadshows. The party’s election campaign has also focused on local issues that resonate best on the ground.
According to a person familiar with the details, the party opted for a large-scale ground campaign, which meant leaders needed to master the language and be familiar with the terrain.
“This time, state leaders are at center stage, from rallies to addressing press meets. These leaders are aware of the issues on ground that matter most to people. National leaders who are fluent in Bengali language like former Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb and former minister Smriti Irani have also been restricted,” a party official said.
The Prime Minister has already addressed more than six large rallies, the first of which was on April 5 when he addressed crowds in Cooch Behar followed by rallies in Haldia, Asansol and Suri. On April 19, he addressed four public rallies in one day that included Jhargram, Purulia, Bishnupur and Medinipur. The final number of his marches (until April 26) is expected to exceed dozens.
Asked whether the number of rallies organized by national leaders, including the Prime Minister, was lower than in the last election, the second party leader said comparisons were not an accurate measure. “During the last elections, by the second stage, the pandemic created chaos and rallies had to be limited,” he said.
The party’s campaign advertisements and speeches are also designed to address local issues. “For example, in the Sundarbans, the problems faced by residents are very different from those in Asansol or Kolkata. We have formulated a district-specific plan and a larger plan for the state… So, illegal settlement and border fencing are a cross-cutting issue for the state, but in tribal areas, like Janglimahal, there is a specific reference to violence and coercion for conversion.”
The official said it was the first time the party had chosen to address regional concerns. “We promised $“3,000 for each woman and unemployed graduate, and the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission and the promise to detect, delete and deport all illegal immigrants,” the official said.
Shah, who is stationed in Bengal and supervising the elections along with his trusted election director, union minister Bhupinder Yadav, has given explicit instructions to the cadre to focus on countering the TMC’s narrative against the SIR.
“There were thousands of dead who are still on the electoral rolls… However, the TMC has created a false narrative that eligible voters have been dropped. Our cadre has also been directed to focus on exposing administrative lapses, corruption and other day-to-day issues faced by people with the assurance that once the BJP comes to power, there will be no violence or retaliation and we will ensure good governance and accountability.”
