Bengal’s ‘M’ math misfire: How muslim fragmentation and mohila drift tilted the field for BJP

Kolkata: A fractured and antagonised Muslim vote bank in Malda and Murshidabad, anger against Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on SIR, Waqf and the OBC list, and extreme polarisation worked to the advantage of BJP in the two Muslim-dominated districts, with BJP winning eight seats in Murshidabad and six in Malda. The Muslim votes seem to have been fractured in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Paschim Bardhaman as well.

The two 'M's in Bengal -- Mohila and Muslim -- worked against TMC, experts believe. BJP has won Baharampur (BJP candidate Subrata Maitra won for the second time with 17,548 seats), and also Khargram, Kandi, Nabagram, Jangipur, Murshidabad, Beldanga and Burwan.

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In Malda's Englishbazar, BJP candidate Amlan Bhaduri won with a whopping 93,784 votes and Joyel Murumu in Habibipur with 78,188 votes.

What went in BJP's favour is Amit Shah staying in Bengal for 10 days before polls and holding back-to-back rallies, PM Narendra Modi visiting every corner of the state, his rallies and his focus on good governance.

Bengal's BJP in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, Sanjay Bansal and all other leaders worked round the clock and worked on strengthening the organisation at the ground level.

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Other factors like booth management, weeding out differences between old and new BJP leaders and activating old workers reaped benefits. BJP promised an increased Annapurnar Bhandar by promising to dole out ₹3,000. BJP promised good governance, investment, justice in the RG Kar case, women's safety and cash transfers. Polarisation and Bengali Bhadroloks also helped BJP.