High Stakes & Turnout
West Bengal's second phase of assembly elections unfolded with a fiercely competitive campaign, characterized by extensive roadshows, sharp political criticisms,
and allegations of electoral misconduct. The Election Commission officially concluded the campaigning for this phase, which commenced on April 24 following the first phase's voting on April 23. The preceding first phase saw an exceptional voter turnout, with a remarkable 93.2% participation across 16 districts, including Cooch Behar's 96.2%. This unprecedented engagement set a high-octane tone, amplifying the urgency for all political factions to intensify their voter mobilization efforts in the subsequent phase. The competing narratives revolved around crucial themes of governance, security, cultural identity, and the fundamental trust in the electoral process, with prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee employing distinct strategies to connect with the electorate.
Mamata's Grassroots Push
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spearheaded a dynamic campaign in South Kolkata, culminating in a vibrant roadshow shortly before the campaigning deadline. Joined by senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, she navigated through enthusiastic crowds, with supporters lining rooftops and streets. Complementing this show of strength, Banerjee engaged in direct ground-level interactions, visiting local markets to converse with vendors and shoppers. She was observed moving through narrow alleys, discussing prices with vegetable sellers and reassuring them of continued state welfare support. This approach was deliberately framed to underscore her deep connection with the daily lives of ordinary citizens. Politically, her campaign intensified its critique of the Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Banerjee voiced significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, stating, "Look at EC! It is your job to ensure EVMs are not captured. Why is there so much load-shedding? This is clearly an indication of malicious intent. Everyone must cast their vote. They will try to tamper with EVMs… Central forces will try to capture EVMs; they are influenced by EC." Recalling her 2021 experience in Nandigram, she alleged irregularities, noting, "I was leading by 4,000 votes before power went off… the trend reversed after supply resumed." Banerjee also adopted a 'people-first' narrative by riding pillion on a motorcycle during campaign events across several constituencies in the Kolkata region. Her campaign in Bhabanipur incorporated a strong emotional appeal, with TMC emphasizing broad public backing for her leadership. Furthermore, Banerjee announced her intention to pursue legal action against Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged 'violent remarks' directed at TMC workers, stating, "We are going to file a legal case against Amit Shah for his violent remarks. As Home Minister, he cannot make such comments."
Symbolic 'Jhalmuri' Politics
A widely discussed symbolic moment emerged when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen enjoying 'jhalmuri' during a campaign stop in Jhargram, a move that swiftly became a notable element of the BJP's outreach strategy. Prime Minister Modi subsequently incorporated similar symbolic gestures into his rallies, remarking, "They will distribute jhalmuri after victory… I ate the jhalmuri, but the spice hit TMC." In response, Mamata Banerjee skillfully repurposed the incident into a political counter-narrative, alleging staged elements and media manipulation. She claimed, "They had fitted TV cameras and CCTV cameras earlier… they had prepared jhal muri from home for security concerns and gave Rs 10 to the shopkeeper." This exchange highlighted the creative ways political campaigns used everyday cultural elements to convey messages and engage with voters, while also becoming a point of contention and contrasting interpretations between the leading parties.
Modi's Cultural Outreach
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign strategy skillfully blended cultural symbolism with potent emotional and political messaging. During his visit to Kolkata, he spent reflective time by the Hooghly river, acknowledging its profound spiritual significance for Bengalis, stating, "For every Bengali, the Ganga occupies a very special place… I spent time on the banks of the Hooghly, expressing gratitude to Maa Ganga." His engagements included a boat ride where he interacted with local boatmen. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi shared a platform with Ratna Debnath, the mother of a victim in a high-profile rape and murder case, who was also a candidate from the Panihat assembly constituency. In North Bengal's Matua community stronghold, he delivered a strong identity-focused promise: "I pledge before Matua Namasudra community members that they will receive citizenship through CAA." He also invoked Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, urging voters to support his party for "azadi from TMC’s maha jungle raj, corruption, fear and unemployment." His campaign trail included visits to key locations like Thakurnagar and Thanthania Kalibari. Concluding his campaign efforts, Prime Minister Modi issued a deeply personal open letter to the people of West Bengal, reflecting on his campaign journey and reaffirming his vision for a "Viksito Bangla" (Developed Bengal). In a social media post, he expressed, "Throughout the entire election campaign in West Bengal, the boundless love and blessings I have received from my family members have filled me with a new strength. Be it the youth power or the women’s power here, our farmer brothers and sisters, workers or businessmen—everyone is resolute in building a ‘Vikasit Bangla’. In this letter, I have expressed my sentiments towards them…" He described the election as a "festival of democracy," characterizing his experience in Bengal as both emotionally and spiritually significant.
Shah's Governance Pitch
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reinforced the BJP's governance agenda with firm promises of significant legal reforms. He articulated plans to "implement Uniform Civil Code, end polygamy and enforce triple talaq ban in Bengal," alongside a pledge to "deposit Rs 3,000 monthly into accounts of mothers and sisters of Bengal." Shah adopted a resolute stance on law and order, stating, "I am asking Didi to lock her goons in the garage… we will not spare anyone who harms mothers and sisters." This approach aimed to present the BJP as a party committed to social justice and stringent crime control, contrasting with the incumbent government's perceived shortcomings in these areas. His messaging focused on tangible benefits for women and a strong commitment to ensuring public safety, which resonated with a segment of the electorate concerned about crime and societal issues.
Opposition Critiques
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi directed criticism at both the BJP and TMC, questioning the selective nature of investigative actions. He posed the question, "Why are there not 36, 38 or 40 cases against Mamata Banerjee?" Gandhi also highlighted alleged major scams, including Saradha and Rose Valley, asserting that "Mamata Banerjee and PM Narendra Modi are two sides of the same coin." Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal voiced strong objections to the extensive security deployment during polling, challenging the prevailing narrative about voters in Bengal by asking, "Are people of Bengal terrorists?" He accused the central government of targeting states governed by opposition parties, quipping, "Modi has three friends: ED, CBI and Gyanesh Kumar." Kejriwal also issued a warning that welfare programs could face discontinuation if opposition parties were not elected to power, emphasizing the potential risks to social welfare schemes under a different political administration.
Security and Anxiety
The campaign period for Phase II was marred by several incidents that heightened security concerns across West Bengal. In North 24 Parganas, the discovery of eight crude bombs near a primary school in Habra caused considerable alarm among local residents, prompting swift police intervention. Tensions escalated further in various parts of the state following violent confrontations between TMC and BJP supporters outside the Jagatdal Police Station. Reports indicate that the clash began after individuals gathered to file a complaint, which escalated into a large crowd assembling outside the police station and subsequently erupting into violence, necessitating police intervention. The TMC alleged that Arambag MP Mitali Bag's vehicle was attacked by individuals linked to the BJP, with claims of injuries and property damage. The BJP, however, denied these allegations, labeling them as politically motivated and timed to influence the upcoming polls. Compounding these concerns, voter anxiety led to a significant surge in travel costs to Kolkata. Ahead of the voting, air and train fares increased dramatically, driven by fears among migrant voters about their names being removed from electoral rolls following revisions. One voter expressed their apprehension: "What if my name disappears from the rolls? I am not risking that." Many voters opted for same-day return trips despite the steep prices, prioritizing their right to vote above the increased expenses.
