The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to emerge as the dominant force in West Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, anticipates poll strategist Prashant Kishor.
"You would be surprised as, in all likelihood, to my mind, the BJP is going to be the number one party in West Bengal," said the political strategist.
In an interview with PTI on April 7, Kishor highlighted the BJP's concerted efforts to bolster its presence in the eastern and southern regions of India, suggesting that these endeavours will yield handsome returns for the party during the general elections.
He even projected that the BJP might secure over 300 seats, well surpassing the requisite number for forming the central government.
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Drawing from his experience working with various political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, and Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh, Kishor suggested that the BJP could potentially emerge as the primary political entity in West Bengal, and may rank either first or second in Telangana.
"The BJP will either be first or second party in Telangana which is a big thing. They will be number one in Odisha for sure," noted Kishor.
Despite the BJP's notable performance in Bengal during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured 18 out of 42 seats, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) clinched victory with 22 seats. However, in the 2021 Assembly polls, the Mamata Banerjee-led party reaffirmed its dominance.
Undeterred by these setbacks, the BJP is, nevertheless, striving to fortify its hold in West Bengal, particularly following the emergence of key issues such as the Sandeshkhali incident, which has become a focal point in the state's political discourse.
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The recent events unfolding in Sandeshkhali are seen as a significant setback for the TMC's electoral prospects leading up to the Lok Sabha elections. This is especially notable considering CM Banerjee's robust focus on her administration's initiatives aimed at empowering socio-economically marginalised women in the region.
The BJP has significantly intensified its efforts to extend its influence in southern and eastern India over time, with key figures such as Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah frequently visiting these regions. The opposition has, however, shown minimal engagement in these states.
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