The Aryavarth Express
Agency(West Bengal): As the Lok Sabha elections approach, discontent is increasingly evident within the ranks of both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, with a number of leaders from both parties expressing dissatisfaction over the nomination process for candidates. The issue has become particularly pronounced as several TMC leaders who aspired to be nominated have publicly aired their unhappiness at being overlooked. Similarly, the BJP has seen discontent among some of its influential figures regarding the selection of candidates.
Prominent among those TMC leaders expressing dissatisfaction are Rajya Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor and party spokesperson Santanu Sen, who were eyeing nominations from Malda North and Dum Dum seats, respectively, but were denied. Adding to the controversy, Mamata Banerjee’s younger brother, Babun Banerjee, also voiced his displeasure at not being nominated for the Howrah seat, which led to his disavowal by the Chief Minister.
On the BJP side, Arjun Singh, the sitting MP from Barrackpore who had switched allegiances to the TMC before returning to the BJP, was notably dissatisfied after being denied a ticket. Furthermore, TMC’s four-term MLA and aspirant for the Kolkata North ticket, Tapas Roy, defected to the BJP due to disagreements over candidate nominations.
The BJP, having announced candidates for 19 of West Bengal’s 42 seats, faced its own challenges. Union minister and Alipurduars MP John Barla and Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj, both influential figures within their communities, expressed their discontent over candidate selection in North Bengal. Despite these issues, both parties have sought to downplay the internal unrest.
TMC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Ray rationalized the discontent as natural disappointment, emphasizing that except for Arjun Singh, all other members continue to work for the party. The TMC’s decision not to renominate seven incumbents and the introduction of 26 new faces, including 11 political newcomers, reflects a strategic choice to refresh its candidate list and address betrayals.
Similarly, the BJP is working to address the concerns of Maharaj and Barla, recognizing the critical role of community support in the region. With the TMC leveraging Mamata Banerjee’s popularity and the BJP navigating caste dynamics, the internal discord poses distinct challenges for each party’s election prospects, especially in North Bengal where caste equations played a significant role in the BJP’s 2019 success.
As West Bengal gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, set to occur in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with results announced on June 4, the resolution of these internal disputes could be crucial for both parties’ performances, particularly in a state known for its highly competitive political environment.