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Bengal ground report- politics in hinterland (chain)
Districts covered: N24pgs --> Hooghly --> Bardhaman East --> Nadia
260 kms in total (return)
I shall cover infrastructure, anecdotes and ground reports of this region
1/n
Districts covered: N24pgs --> Hooghly --> Bardhaman East --> Nadia
260 kms in total (return)
I shall cover infrastructure, anecdotes and ground reports of this region
1/n
Infrastructure:
For a Mumbaikar or a Delhite to see the condition of so called "highways" would be unbelievable
130 km journey by highway takes 3.5- 4 hrs
Kalyani "expressway" not sure where the Express in this way-a crater filled 2 lane road with dust more than Thar 2/n
For a Mumbaikar or a Delhite to see the condition of so called "highways" would be unbelievable
130 km journey by highway takes 3.5- 4 hrs
Kalyani "expressway" not sure where the Express in this way-a crater filled 2 lane road with dust more than Thar 2/n
The journey is still tolerable till you reach Kalna-after that we reach medival ages- into ungraveled region-supposed to be the arterial road for these districts
As elections are near u can see hectic repairing&construction activities but to let it reach this stage is
3/n
As elections are near u can see hectic repairing&construction activities but to let it reach this stage is
3/n
Political activities:
In Bengal specially in the hinterland a symbol on the wall or a flag on a post is more than a symbol- they r marks of territory dominance
Normally in deep rural parts opposition isnt allowed to put their flag, so when you see a simple innocent flag.. 4/n
In Bengal specially in the hinterland a symbol on the wall or a flag on a post is more than a symbol- they r marks of territory dominance
Normally in deep rural parts opposition isnt allowed to put their flag, so when you see a simple innocent flag.. 4/n
It's more than just a flag-it symbolizes that the oppositon has reached a threshold of local support to "save" that flag! More so for artworks on the walls
For a party like BJP which was non existent even till last year nobody can expect it to be "present" in such hinterland
5/n
For a party like BJP which was non existent even till last year nobody can expect it to be "present" in such hinterland
5/n
"Thanks" to google maps which diverted us on our return trip from the "highway" into the narrow roads through the real deep villages of Burdwan district-got to see the real "gram bangla" after long
Narrow roads (but better than "highway" mud houses and vast fields of potato
6/n
Narrow roads (but better than "highway" mud houses and vast fields of potato
6/n
The surprise came when each h of those villages exhibited MORE OR EQUAL number of flags of BJP at regular intervals than TMC- signals the party HAS ARRIVED in the hinterland!
Wall dominance still seems to be of TMC but fun is that most of such names on walls r of leaders
7/n
Wall dominance still seems to be of TMC but fun is that most of such names on walls r of leaders
7/n
Who already switched to BJP
Surprise- NO symbols or flags of CPM exists anymore in these away from limelight villages not even for name sake!
Where there r CPM flags or TMC flags without BJP flags in vicinity- u can see either a madarsa or a maid within 50-100m
8/n
Surprise- NO symbols or flags of CPM exists anymore in these away from limelight villages not even for name sake!
Where there r CPM flags or TMC flags without BJP flags in vicinity- u can see either a madarsa or a maid within 50-100m
8/n
Near Purbasthali we came across a michil of CPM with familiar "cholche cholbe" with hardly 20 people stopping the flow of traffic
But u can see people disdain for them- for a generation which grew under the fear of cpm hamrads it's an irony to see them in such irrelevance
9/n
But u can see people disdain for them- for a generation which grew under the fear of cpm hamrads it's an irony to see them in such irrelevance
9/n
The michil passed quickly with few shouts "aaare jaona taratari korona.." prompts from nearby shops!
Overall the picture of "area dominance" was pretty clear:
CPM has set
TMC has finally got a rival in BJP with a ground organization in 2020 which wasnt there even in 2019
10/n
Overall the picture of "area dominance" was pretty clear:
CPM has set
TMC has finally got a rival in BJP with a ground organization in 2020 which wasnt there even in 2019
10/n
Anecdotes:
Anecdotes in Bengal is not easy to get unlike other states
People here specially in village wont divulge their political choice due to fear of violence-until they start to trust
Initial question like "ki mone hoche k jeetbe" would mostly ans by silence or "kejaane"
11
Anecdotes in Bengal is not easy to get unlike other states
People here specially in village wont divulge their political choice due to fear of violence-until they start to trust
Initial question like "ki mone hoche k jeetbe" would mostly ans by silence or "kejaane"
11
Slowly as u build trust and emphasize that u r not s ruling party supporter that they start opening up
Typical tea stall unanimity:
1) This election will be the bloodiest since early 90s
2) TMC vs BJP severe fight
Rest differs based on inclination
12/n
Typical tea stall unanimity:
1) This election will be the bloodiest since early 90s
2) TMC vs BJP severe fight
Rest differs based on inclination
12/n
Most respondents:
Why TMC falling?
1. Loot of TMC workers
2. Bhaipo syndrome of considering Bengal as their family property
What will be the results:
70%- TMC will disintegrate before elections- bjp shall scrape through/ landslide with cautious hopeful tone-"jeete jaabe"
13/n
Why TMC falling?
1. Loot of TMC workers
2. Bhaipo syndrome of considering Bengal as their family property
What will be the results:
70%- TMC will disintegrate before elections- bjp shall scrape through/ landslide with cautious hopeful tone-"jeete jaabe"
13/n
30%- "khub close, TMC beriye jete paare!"
"Seat kichu kom holeo baaki party ra support korbe"
Meaning- very close, TMC may just scrape through- if less seats then other parties can help TMC
TMC supporters showed some feel of "betrayl" from the electorate and deserter
14/n
"Seat kichu kom holeo baaki party ra support korbe"
Meaning- very close, TMC may just scrape through- if less seats then other parties can help TMC
TMC supporters showed some feel of "betrayl" from the electorate and deserter
14/n
Conclusion:
With such penetration among masses and into the hinterland further and over and above 2019,I am not able to see how TMC can prevent the BJP landslide from here
With TMC ground leaders and henchmen joining BJP this momentum will further tilt towards the saffron
15/n
With such penetration among masses and into the hinterland further and over and above 2019,I am not able to see how TMC can prevent the BJP landslide from here
With TMC ground leaders and henchmen joining BJP this momentum will further tilt towards the saffron
15/n
I didnt expect the level of support for BJP among people (anecdotes) and organisational penetration that I saw in districts like Brdhaman and Nadia.
Hooghly shall fair even better than my earlier expectations.
In total in these 3 districts I would expect BJP winning 60-65% seats
Hooghly shall fair even better than my earlier expectations.
In total in these 3 districts I would expect BJP winning 60-65% seats
Overall it's an election to lose for BJP!
From here on it's going to go UP and Tripure way!
Saffron bengal- a feat unbelievable even an year ago seems like in band's reach now!
Over to March- bring it on
From here on it's going to go UP and Tripure way!
Saffron bengal- a feat unbelievable even an year ago seems like in band's reach now!
Over to March- bring it on
hand's*
