Three-way Contest Heats Up as Local Issues Take Center Stage
The final five phases of the West Bengal elections are set to witness a fierce contest, driven by local issues such as the Sandeshkhali incident and the SSC scam. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is contesting independently, is facing a three-way battle against the BJP and the Congress-Left alliance.
Political analysts believe that the absence of a dominant national narrative has shifted the focus to local concerns. Corruption allegations, the cancellation of SSC jobs, and the implementation of the CAA are influencing the election dynamics.
The Left-Congress alliance is gaining traction in several seats, turning the polls into a three-cornered contest in at least 18-20 constituencies. This alliance is particularly strong in Malda, Murshidabad, and South Bengal.
The TMC, however, believes that the breakup of the INDIA alliance has both advantages and disadvantages. They argue that the Left-Congress alliance is helping the BJP by dividing the anti-TMC vote.
The BJP, on the other hand, downplays the significance of the three-cornered fight and claims that people will vote for them to end TMC's misrule.
Political analysts suggest that the TMC stands to gain the most from the three-cornered contest, especially in minority pockets where the Left-Congress alliance could dent their vote base. However, the BJP could also benefit from this division of votes.
The final outcome of the West Bengal elections will depend on how effectively each party can mobilize its voters and address the local concerns that are driving the campaign.