A tense atmosphere looms over the electoral ground of West Bengal. The ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, is putting in all its strength to save its chair, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is weaving dreams of capturing power. This time, the battle appears completely different from the 2021 contest. In earlier elections, a reign of violence was witnessed, where rioters received open protection. But now the situation has changed. Strict enforcement of law has broken the courage of troublemakers. Paramilitary forces are stationed at every corner, ready to crush any form of hooliganism. The Election Commission has taken strict steps to ensure peaceful voting. These changes have angered Mamata Banerjee. She is trying to present herself as a victim, which is her old tactic.
As soon as the election battle began, an atmosphere of excitement spread across the streets of West Bengal. The scenes witnessed in 2021 were horrifying. At that time, Trinamool workers resorted to violence. Ram Navami processions were attacked, houses were set on fire, and innocent people were targeted. The police turned a blind eye. But this time everything is different. The central government deployed paramilitary forces in large numbers. These personnel do not hesitate to take direct action. In one locality of Kolkata, when miscreants tried to create chaos near a polling station, the personnel immediately used batons. Five miscreants were injured and taken into custody. The surrounding area became peaceful. In another incident, in a village of South 24 Parganas district, Trinamool supporters surrounded BJP workers. But the paramilitary forces intervened instantly. Warning shots were fired in the air and the miscreants fled. These examples make it clear that the law now listens to no one.
Mamata Banerjee does not seem comfortable with this strictness. She keeps shouting at every opportunity that the central government is interfering in the elections. In a rally, she said with tears that her state was under attack. But the reality is that paramilitary forces are working in a neutral manner. They are showing equal strictness toward Trinamool miscreants as toward others. For example, in Howrah, a Trinamool leader threatened a police officer. When the officer filed a complaint, the paramilitary forces arrested that leader on the spot. Mamata termed this a political conspiracy. She claims that her workers are being targeted. But the figures tell a different story. According to records of the Election Commission, incidents of violence this time have reduced by 70 percent compared to 2021. No major disturbance occurred at polling booths. All this is the result of the presence of paramilitary forces.
The Election Commission is also not stepping back. The Commission has formed special teams in every district. These teams are patrolling day and night. Once in Uttar Dinajpur, a judge was surrounded by Trinamool workers. The judge was monitoring the election process. Workers were shouting that the judge was biased. But paramilitary forces arrived immediately, safely escorted the judge, and arrested eight people. In his report, the judge wrote that if these personnel had not been present, the situation could have worsened. Similarly, in Malda, a police officer received threats. The officer was supervising the counting of ballot boxes. Miscreants surrounded him, but personnel responded with baton charges. Three miscreants ended up in the hospital. These examples show that law and order now prevails. Judges and officers feel safe. Earlier they were afraid, now they can work fearlessly.
Mamata Banerjee appears deeply agitated by this situation. Her temper seems high. In every rally, she criticizes the central government. She says that people from Delhi will destroy her state. But this tactic is backfiring. The public is now understanding her dramatics. Playing the victim card is her old method. In 2021 as well, she did the same. After the violence, she appeared on television crying and sought votes while portraying herself as a mother. She said, “Save your son.” This time too, she is following the same formula. In a rally in Kolkata, she bent her knees and sat down. With tears in her eyes, she said that there was a conspiracy to remove her from power. Her supporters started shouting, but BJP workers laughed. Her videos went viral on social media. People started calling it drama. Take another example. When paramilitary forces detained one of her legislators, Mamata held a press conference. She said the legislator was innocent and falsely accused. But investigation revealed that the legislator himself had incited violence. The Commission declared him disqualified. Mamata again tried to play the victim, saying that the justice system was against her.
Apart from this, Mamata is not missing any opportunity to provoke supporters. She says that atrocities are being committed against the daughter of Bengal. But the public has now awakened. She succeeded in 2021 because there was fear of violence. Now the fear has vanished. Paramilitary forces have broken the backbone of miscreants. In a survey, it emerged that 60 percent of voters are happy with peaceful elections. They are fed up with hooliganism. For instance, in Asansol, a woman voter said that earlier she used to feel scared, but now she voted without hesitation. Similarly, a young man from Purulia said that his brother was beaten in 2021, but this time everything remained peaceful. These changes are warning signs for Mamata. Her victim card is now failing. She wants to gather votes by portraying herself as a victim, but people have understood the truth.
Several other interesting incidents occurred during the election atmosphere. In Bankura district, Trinamool allegedly attempted fake voting, but the Election Commission team caught it. Paramilitary forces conducted a raid on the spot. Twenty people were arrested. Mamata called it a conspiracy, but evidence proved otherwise. In Hooghly, a judge received a threatening phone call. The judge informed the Commission. Personnel traced the caller and arrested him. He turned out to be a local Trinamool leader. Mamata remained silent. These incidents clearly show that strictness is working. Those attempting disturbances are learning lessons. Judges and officers are now able to work without fear.
Mamata’s method of playing the victim card is very clear. She describes every incident as a conspiracy against her. She starts crying and provoking supporters. She claims that Bengal’s identity is under threat. But this time the strategy is not working. The public is witnessing how paramilitary forces have brought peace. Memories of the 2021 violence are still fresh. People were troubled by violence. Now they want peaceful elections. Mamata’s anger stems from this reality. She knows that power is slipping away. The BJP’s atmosphere appears to be strengthening. Workers are campaigning without fear. Overall, this electoral battle in West Bengal is turning into a victory for democracy. The strictness of paramilitary forces and the Election Commission has uprooted violence from its roots. Mamata Banerjee’s victim card has failed. There are countless examples to cite. Similar stories are emerging from every district. The public is now choosing the truth. This change is historic. Peace is being established on the land of Bengal.
(The content of this article reflects the views of writer and contributor, not necessarily those of the publisher and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
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