Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase One: West Bengal set for BJP Vs TMC showdown on April 19
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) looks to set pace in the three North Bengal constituencies, BJP looks to retain their base and extend their tally of 18 seats out of the state's 42 constituencies. Notably, TMC had managed to wriggle the three constituencies out of BJP clutch for the 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, therefore making tomorrow's voting a litmus test for the two parties who have meticulously made their presence felt through innumerable pre-poll rallies. The issues of North Bengal identity politics and of the tea belt are expected to dominate the political discourse.
Analysts have said that the elections in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri could determine the course for the next six phases of Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal. Voting begins at 7am and will continue till 6pm. One of the bone of contention between TMC and BJP was the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
While this CAA rising on a Modi wave gave BJP the edge during 2019 Lok Sabha Polls in North Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee has remained resolute to oppose the implementation of the same. In North Bengal, leading the charge against the BJP, CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that “it (BJP) has done nothing for the people of North Bengal". While PM Narendra Modi during his visits highlighted alleged corruption and the Sandeshkhali incidents to target the TMC.
The state of West Bengal is infamous for violent election process. The Election Commission of India has informed that they have deployed 272 central armed police force (CAPF) battalions in the first phase to ensure that the central security personnel could man every booth. BJP and TMC have fielded Rajbongshi or Adivasi candidates to represent significant local caste
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