BJP won the Basirhat Dakshin bypoll after a gap of 15 years
In the Lok Sabha polls in May, the BJP had secured two Lok Sabha seats matching the success of the CPM which had also won the same number of constituencies. (Photo: DC/File)
THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM: The victory of BJP in Basirhat Dakshin bypoll last month not only paved the way for the return of the saffron party to West Bengal Assembly after a gap of 15 years but it also set alarm bells ringingfor the principal opposition party CPM.
The victory, many observed, was an indication of BJP's growing influence in “Banga Bhumi” and its slow but steady march towards becoming an alternative to the CPM in the state. In the by poll the CPM which had won the seat in 2011, was relegated to the third spot.
Even in the Lok Sabha polls in May, the BJP had secured two Lok Sabha seats matching the success of the CPM which had also won the same number of constituencies. The rise of BJP in Bengal is a cause of worry for the CPM as the saffron party was making an all out bid to capture the number two slot in the state.
The CPM politburo which met in Delhi the other day to discuss party's draft political line, had reviewed the developments in Bengal at length particularly in the light of BJP’s victory in the bypoll.
The PB even cautioned Kerala comrades about BJP growth citing the example of Bengal.
Interestingly both the Trinamool Congress and CPM are worried about the saffron surge. In a recent interview to a TV channel, TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that she was not averse to the idea of joining hands with Left to fight the BJP.
However, the CPM leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Surjaykant Msihra had set a precondition to join hands with TMC to fight BJP.
First Mamata Banerjee should admit her past mistakes as the CPM believed that her earlier alliance with the saffron party had helped BJP gain a foothold in Bengal.
But political observers say despite the preconditions set by CPM, both the parties know that sooner or later they will have to come together to fight the BJP. And with Narendra Modi eyeing 2016 Assembly elections, the options before them is limited and time is running out as well.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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