After good show in LS polls, BJP loses steam in Bengal politics

KOLKATA: A year after BJP registered a "good" show in West Bengal in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, lack of leadership, infighting and its alleged understanding with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) seem to have begun to take a toll on the outfit in the key eastern state.

BJP, which was once considered a backbencher in state politics, signalled its arrival in a big way by securing 18 per cent votes in the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Its subsequent rise can be gauged from the fact that in the Assembly bypoll to two seats held last year, BJP riding on its Lok Sabha performance for the first time single-handedly won an Assembly seat - Basirhat South - and came second in another.

It began to be seen as a potential principal opposition party in the state, replacing the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

BJP upping the ante against TMC over the Saradha chit fund scam and CBI tightening its noose around several TMC leaders in connection with the case acted as a catalyst in BJP's rise in the state, and thus ushering a paradigm shift in a Left-oriented Bengal politics.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's aggressive stance against BJP too helped the party.

The saffron brigade gave a severe jolt to the ruling party when it managed to poach a TMC minister Manjul Krishna Thakur just ahead of the Bongaon Lok Sabha bypolls.

Although 2014 has been a memorable year for BJP, it soon began to lose steam. BJP state president Rahul Sinha conceded the euphoria revolving around BJP since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls has vanished.

"Yes, it is true that the euphoria which was created after our performance in last Lok Sabha polls, has taken a beating in last few months. It is due to several confusions and misconceptions spread by opposition about our alleged change of stand on Saradha scam, bonhomie between the state and the Centre. But we are confident of fighting those vested propaganda and surge ahead," Sinha told PTI.