West Bengal elections: Junglemahal’s 25 seats turn battleground as BJP targets TMC’s development pitch

Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram: The three districts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram are the gateway to Junglemahal in West Bengal, with some calculations including parts of Paschim Medinipur as well. These three districts have 25 assembly seats. Although 25 of the total 294 assembly seats in the state is not a number that can swing the results, some of the dominant issues and political powerplay here can more or less define the battle of the state.

In 2021, BJP, by winning 14 of the 25 seats, emerged as a strong challenger to Trinamool. BJP's real surge was first noticed in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when the party won Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Medinipur and Bishnupur Lok Sabha seats. In 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool reclaimed Jhargram, Bankura and Medinipur.

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Development was the issue on which Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee won the trust of Junglemahal during the Left rule and capitalised on it after coming to power. The same plank is now haunting the party, with BJP a challenger this time.

"I travel to other parts of the country. Bihar was lagging us but now they are ahead. Look at their roads. 15 years (of Trinamool rule) is enough," Sumit Pal (36), a small-time businessman in Khatra, Rani Bandh, told ET.

Nepal Lohar (29) works in a factory in Kanniyakumari. He is back to vote and is currently selling lottery tickets. "There is no work here. People still believe that a lottery ticket can change their fortune," he says. This is where BJP is trying to score over Trinamool. The speeches of all BJP leaders are full of promises to establish industries and create jobs in the state. Trinamool leaders call it a bluff to get votes.

"PM Modi is coming here and making big job promises. In 2014, he promised to give 2 crore jobs per year. Where are the jobs? Don't fall for jumla. TMC has brought change in the region. The fate of West Bengal should be decided by the people of West Bengal, not outsiders," Bankura's Trinamool MP Arup Chakraborty tells people in Simlapal public address.

Welfare is where Banerjee has recognition and presence. BJP has a lot of catching up to do. From block presidents to district presidents to CM Banerjee herself, Trinamool is reminding people, especially women, how Banerjee has taken care of their households through Laxmi Bhandar and other schemes. "Our outreach is among women and youths. Their vote will not go anywhere," Chinmay Mahata, Trinamool block president of Binpur told ET. Trinamool leaders in visit households in groups and tell them if BJP comes, cash benefits like this might be cancelled.

"We know that once a government scheme starts, no government cancels it," counters Raju Mahata at College Mor, Jhargram. BJP has promised ₹3,000 per month for eligible women and unemployed youth. Party workers are getting forms filled up from the people who can get the benefit post-poll.

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Junglemahal is one of the regions where SIR is less talked about. The deletions are fewer and most believe they are genuine deletions of dead voters and those who have shifted. The region has a sizeable Kurmi population, accounting for more than 30% and it has been a hotbed of Kurmi movement for their demand to be included in the ST category. "Kurmi voters are never going to leave us. They are with Banerjee," Chakraborty told ET.

But here is the catch. BJP has extended support to Biswajit Mahato for the Joypur assembly seat in Purulia. Biswajit is the son of Ajit Prasad Mahato, a prominent face of the Kurmi movement. Ajit Mahato, like other Kurmi leaders, has been demanding tribal status for the Kurmi community who are around 5.25 lakh in the region. BJP has promised to fulfil all their demands if the party comes to power.

Among tribals, Trinamool is wary of increasing BJP influence. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has chipped in to help Banerjee. He conducted several rallies in the last three days in ST constituencies. He speaks in Santhali to connect with tribals and warns them about BJP. "If BJP comes, they will take away your land, forest and water and give it to industrialists. Vote for Mamata didi if you want to protect your identity and culture," Soren says.

Trinamool has a strong presence among the tribal women through women self-help groups and volunteers. The party is raising issues such as non-veg food and Bengali Asmita, with BJP keeping focus on development issues.