Kolkata: The upcoming by-polls in West Bengal could be an important measure of the state’s political landscape amid the aftermath of recent protests surrounding the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. Despite claims of being politically neutral, these protests have seen major support from opposition groups, particularly among urban middle-class participants. The results of these elections may reveal how the public perceives the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government’s response to these events.
Scheduled across six key constituencies, the by-polls include diverse regions: the urban constituency of Naihati near Kolkata, the minority-dominated Haroa, the tribal-majority Taldangra and Sitai in North Bengal with a mix of minority and Rajbanshi voters. Madarihat, the only seat held by the BJP, is a tea garden area, while Medinipur rounds out the list.
TMC seeks to maintain dominance
Currently, five of the six seats are under TMC, while the BJP holds one. The TMC aims to secure all six; anything less than five seats may be interpreted as a setback. The BJP, meanwhile, views a win in Madarihat as a morale boost, especially following recent losses in the Lok Sabha elections.
Kunal Ghosh, a senior TMC leader, expressed concerns that opposition parties might “misguide” voters by leveraging the RG Kar Hospital incident but reassured that the swift action by Kolkata Police, which arrested the main suspect within 24 hours, demonstrated the government’s commitment to justice.
North Bengal’s shift
In North Bengal, where the BJP has held a traditional stronghold, the TMC made gains in the Lok Sabha elections. With the Left contesting independently after their split with the Congress, the by-polls will test whether voter sentiment has shifted significantly. Senior CPM leader Md Salim cited internal party changes as the reason for their solo campaign, adding that limited time precluded discussions for an alliance.
