LS polls: Rajnath Singh to hold poll rallies in West Bengal today

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to address public rallies in Murshidabad, Maldah Uttar, and Darjeeling in West Bengal today. Darjeeling is scheduled for voting on April 26, while Murshidabad and Maldah Uttar will vote on May 7.

The first phase of voting recently concluded in the Coochbehar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri parliamentary constituencies. BJP secured victories in all three constituencies in the 2019 elections. These constituencies witnessed a high voter turnout, with 75.54% in Alipurduar, 77.73% in Coochbehar, and 79.33% in Jalpaiguri.

Remaining constituencies in West Bengal will vote on April 26, May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.

In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), part of the INDIA bloc, does not have a seat-sharing agreement with other alliance parties like the Congress and the Left parties.

Historically, the TMC has held a strong position in West Bengal. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC secured 34 seats, while the BJP won 2 seats. The CPI (M) and the Congress won 2 and 4 seats, respectively.

The 2019 polls marked a significant shift, with the BJP winning 18 seats and the TMC’s seat count reducing to 22. The Congress’s representation decreased to 2 seats, and the Left Front failed to secure any seats.

The changing power dynamics have led to intense competition. The BJP, having made significant gains in 2019, is now aiming to challenge the TMC’s dominance in West Bengal. The upcoming elections will be crucial for both parties as they vie for political supremacy in the state.