TMC’s lone LS battle: Navigating inside challenges to thwart BJP’s march | Lok Sabha Elections News

Three years after its historic victory halting the BJP’s advance in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), affected by corruption allegations and inside energy wrestle and having withdrawn from the INDIA bloc within the state, is now engaged in a solitary battle to counter the saffron get together’s momentum and uphold get together unity.

With the BJP setting its sights on successful over 35 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, the TMC faces the daunting process of regaining the seats it misplaced to the BJP in 2019.

This strategic goal entails not solely lowering the saffron camp’s tally but additionally maximising the TMC’s parliamentary illustration. By doing so, the get together goals to bolster its negotiating energy in potential opposition alliance governments and strengthen its capability to counter the BJP’s potential third consecutive time period in energy, in response to TMC sources.

The elections maintain vital stakes for TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. A defeat might result in a wave of defections from her get together to the saffron camp, paying homage to the post-2019 situation, in response to political analysts.

This might pose a menace to the existence of her get together, which has been in energy since 2011 and is perceived by some as missing a transparent ideology.

On the opposite hand, a victory would elevate her to the ranks of leaders who’ve efficiently thwarted Narendra Modi-led BJP twice of their respective territories, solidifying her place as a outstanding opposition determine on the nationwide stage.

In 2019, the TMC gained 22 seats, whereas the BJP bagged 18 seats within the state.

“For us, the challenge is two-fold. First with Modi conducting four rallies in the last few days, he has brought BJP’s challenge to our doorstep, which we have to halt. Second, after walking out of INDIA alliance in the state, we have to prove that TMC on its own can resist the BJP’s march,” TMC MP and chief Sougata Roy instructed PTI.

Sudip Bandopadhyay, TMC’s Lok Sabha get together chief, echoed comparable sentiments, highlighting that the largest problem is defeating the BJP in Bengal, particularly contemplating the tacit understanding among the many opposition Left, Congress, and the BJP.

“TMC is the only party which is fighting in Bengal against the BJP and its anti-people policies. It is TMC which has both organisational power and leadership charisma to defeat the BJP in Bengal. We have done it in 2021 assembly polls and we will repeat that feat,” he stated.

TMC has determined to go solo within the LS polls in Bengal whereas being a companion of opposition bloc INDIA on the nationwide stage.

Several TMC leaders, who spoke to PTI, emphasised that alongside exterior challenges, it’s the inside strife that has stored the political panorama tumultuous inside the get together.

“Although the candidate list is out, the undercurrent between a section of veterans and the party’s next generation is palpable. Putting up a united fight is indeed a challenge for us,” he stated.

Dissension has emerged in varied areas for the reason that announcement of LS candidates, with ticket aspirants expressing dissatisfaction over the get together nominations.

Emerging from the Congress in 1998, the TMC initially confronted defeat in 2001 and 2006 earlier than claiming energy in 2011, overthrowing the Left Front regime amid widespread public discontent towards the communists.

Banerjee consolidated her management in Bengal in 2016 with a powerful victory, successful 211 seats towards communists.

However, the 2019 LS polls noticed a shift because the BJP, leveraging its pro-NRC and CAA stance, secured 18 seats in Bengal, 4 lower than TMC.

In 2021, the TMC secured its third consecutive victory, successful 213 seats, by emphasising ‘Bengali Pride’ and countering BJP’s identification politics with a story of sub-nationalism.

Despite the BJP’s growing affect within the state, TMC’s voter proportion has risen in successive elections.

In 2019, regardless of securing fewer Lok Sabha seats, 22 in comparison with 34 seats in 2014, the TMC’s voter proportion elevated from 39.8% to 43.3%. Similarly, within the 2011 and 2016 meeting polls, its voter proportion rose from 38.93% to 44.91%. It reached its peak within the 2021 state elections, the place it garnered 48.02% of the votes.

In final yr’s panchayat polls, the TMC achieved a clear sweep, securing victory in all of the zilla parishads, regardless of allegations of violence and malpractices.

Political analysts observe that whereas information suggests TMC’s robust place, there’s a concern on the bottom resulting from corruption allegations and the imprisonment of a lot of its election managers and key leaders, indicating a visual disconnect among the many folks.

“Although it is Mamata Banerjee who matters in our party, with leaders like Anubrata Mondal, Jyotipriyo Mullick and Partha Chatterjee behind the bars, there is concern about management of elections as they were key election managers,” a senior TMC chief stated.

“The TMC faces challenges both internally and externally. Internally, there is a power struggle between old and new party members, while externally, corruption allegations have tarnished its image. Overcoming these challenges, maintaining unity, winning a maximum number of seats, and preventing BJP from crossing the 20-seat mark are among the biggest challenges,” political analyst Biswanath Chakraborty stated.

“If they fail to do so, it will have repercussions both within the TMC and will also prove that the party is unable to challenge Narendra Modi-led BJP single-handedly in the elections,” he stated.