As the Trinamool Congress (TMC) takes on the electoral battle alone in West Bengal, fielding candidates on all 42 seats, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, known for her vocal criticism of PM Modi, surprisingly features outsiders on several high-profile constituencies.
The Context: Local vs. Outsider Narrative
During the election campaign in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly referred to PM Modi as an outsider. However, in a twist of events, TMC has introduced candidates from other states on three seats within its own party. Additionally, prominent leaders like Sagarika Ghose and Sushmita Dev have secured TMC tickets for the Rajya Sabha.
New Faces in TMC’s Roster
In recent times, TMC has introduced several new faces, including cricketer Yusuf Pathan, politician Kirti Azad, and actor Shatrughan Sinha, for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024. Yusuf Pathan is contesting from Baharampur, Shatrughan Sinha from Asansol, and Kirti Azad from Bardhaman Durgapur.
Abhishek Banerjee Raises the Outsider Issue Again
After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where BJP significantly increased its presence in Bengal, the outsider-insider debate gained momentum. Following the active participation of BJP in the state assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee had labeled BJP leaders as outsiders. On Sunday, during a press conference, TMC’s second in command and Mamata’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, once again raised the issue of outsiders. He emphasized that this election is against the external candidates fielded by BJP, targeting PM Modi and the BJP.
BJP’s Arsenal of Contestants
Challenging Mamata Banerjee’s narrative of Bengal vs. Outsiders is not an easy task for BJP. With several names on their list, the saffron party is expected to launch a sharp counterattack, utilizing the opportunity created by the TMC’s inclusion of external candidates. The careful consideration of caste equations and vote banks has been observed, especially in constituencies like Baharampur and Asansol, where Muslim and Bihari populations are significant, respectively.
The upcoming Lok Sabha Election in West Bengal is poised to be a battleground of narratives, with TMC attempting to fend off BJP’s accusations while also presenting a strategic front with a blend of local and outsider candidates.