Because the battle for West Bengal intensifies within the ongoing meeting elections, the ruling social gathering should shield the Trinamool Congress (TMC) stronghold within the presidential constituency area, which covers 111 meeting seats, because the opposition BJP seeks to type its first authorities within the state.
The presidential constituency is one in every of 5 such districts in Bengal comprising the constituencies of Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Howrah, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas, the place the TMC has strengthened its presence because it first got here to energy in 2011. The presidential constituency, together with Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman constituencies, will go to polls on April 29 within the second spherical. section.
The entire variety of seats within the meeting in north and south Kolkata is 14; Howrah has 16 seats, Nadia has 17 seats, North Parganas has 24 seats, Parganas has 33 seats, and South Kolkata has 31 seats, with Parganas having 24 seats.
Within the 2006 meeting polls, the CPI(M)-led Left Entrance received 72 of those 111 seats. Nonetheless, the tables turned in 2011 when the TMC and Congress collectively received 89 seats in these areas. In 2016, the TMC additional strengthened its place, profitable 91 seats.
In 2021, regardless of a push by the BJP, the TMC received 96 seats, additional strengthening its base within the presidential constituency, particularly after its robust efficiency within the 2019 meeting polls. The BJP received 77 seats in 2021 to turn into the principle opposition social gathering within the state, but it surely received solely 14 seats within the presidential class. The remaining seats within the area had been received by the left-wing alliance Indian Secular Entrance (ISF).
In 2021, the BJP carried out effectively in north Bengal however stumbled in south Bengal, halting its penetration within the presidential constituency.
Nonetheless, within the 2024 Indian parliamentary elections, the BJP elevated its vote share in these constituencies, main in 21 parliamentary segments and the TMC with 90 seats. That yr, the BJP received 12 seats in Bengal, down from 18 seats within the 2019 meeting polls.
The significance of the presidential department is exemplified by the truth that 5 prime ministers contested the area. CPI(M)’s Jyoti Basu initially contested from Balanagar in North 24 Parganas, however later moved to Satgachia, from the place she grew to become CM for 5 consecutive phrases. CPI(M)’s Buddhadeb Bhattacharya first appeared in Kolkata towards Kashipur Belgachia after which moved to Jadavpur the place he received six consecutive video games and was the CM for the final two phrases.
Incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee received from Kolkata’s Bhavanipur in 2011, 2016 and 2021 polls. The presidential constituencies, particularly Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas districts, have a sizeable minority inhabitants and are thought-about the TMC’s strongest voter base.
“These 111 seats are assured to us. We’ve got strengthened our place in these and different elements of Bengal through the years. That is one in every of our strongest strongholds. How can the Bharatiya Janata Celebration consider defeating us in Bengal?” stated a senior TMC chief.
In the meantime, the Bharatiya Janata Celebration is desperately making an attempt to interrupt by way of the TMC’s stronghold. It made some progress in Matua-dominated seats in North 24 Parganas and Nadia. Within the 2021 meeting polls, the BJP received 14 seats within the presidential sector, 9 of which had been in Nadia, and the TMC received eight. The remaining seats within the BJP’s presidential constituency had been in North 24 Parganas.
Nonetheless, within the remaining presidential constituencies, the BJP did not win any seats in 2021.
Within the 2024 Indian Meeting polls, the Bharatiya Janata Celebration secured a lead in 11 Nadia Meeting segments whereas the TMC led in simply six segments. In North 24 Parganas too, the BJP elevated its vote share and managed to steer in eight Congress segments, whereas the TMC nonetheless led in 25 segments. In north Kolkata, the BJP led in two meeting segments. Nonetheless, the BJP couldn’t win any seats in South 24 Parganas, Howrah and South Kolkata districts.
Explaining the social gathering’s struggles within the area, a senior BJP chief stated, “Systematically we’re very weak towards the TMC within the presidential election sector. The TMC used machines in these sectors and randomly rigged and faked votes. However this time it will not be doable. If the Election Fee does its job correctly, the folks will see wonderful outcomes on this sector. We’re going to win not solely South 24 Parganas and Howrah but in addition the elections.” Nearly half of this seat. ”
Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha of the Bharatiya Janata Celebration stated, “This election is totally totally different. You’ll be stunned to see the outcomes. The areas which can be thought-about TMC strongholds now, you will notice how these areas deteriorate after the elections. Individuals will vote for change. The outcomes will show all of the calculations flawed.”
Nonetheless, the TMC believes it nonetheless has a bonus within the Presidency class. “Due to the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR), we is not going to solely shield our strongholds but in addition enhance their numbers, as a result of in these areas the Matuas had voted for the BJP up to now elections, however they’ve principally suffered due to the SIR,” TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty stated.
