THE LEFT’S HAND IN ‘RAM’S VICTORY IN BENGAL

THE LEFT’S HAND IN ‘RAM’S VICTORY IN BENGAL

10-MAY-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------Left-wing supporters believe that this is not a shift in ideology, but rather a war strategy (much like that of an MMA fighter)— retreating after conceding defeat for a day, so as to preserve strength for a greater battle in the future.

The results of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have not only brought about a change in power but have also upended the state's decades-old political equations. Behind this historic victory for the BJP, a startling truth has come to light: a massive inclination of Left-wing voters towards the BJP has been observed. This phenomenon is being viewed in the state through the slogan, "Ebar Ram, Pore Bam" (This time Ram, next time the Left). West Bengal's new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, expressed special gratitude to Left-wing voters in his victory speech after defeating Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. He stated, "In Bhabanipur, the CPI(M) held 13,000 votes, of which I received at least 10,000. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the CPI(M) voters."

A Battle for Survival: Since being ousted from power in 2011, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) allegedly exerted immense pressure on Left-wing workers. Their party offices were seized, and many workers faced violence. In such a scenario, Left supporters viewed the BJP as a 'life insurance policy'—a means to provide them with protection against the TMC.

The Panchayat Election Turning Point: The widespread violence witnessed during the 2018 Panchayat elections, along with the killings of CPI(M) workers, convinced the party cadres that the TMC was their true adversary. It was at this juncture that the transfer of Left-wing votes towards the BJP began. The Role of Central Security Forces: The heavy deployment of central forces during the elections gave Leftist supporters the courage to cast their votes without fear. Speaking to *India Today*, CPI(M) workers stated that, this time around, they were able to vote without any intimidation from the TMC.

The graph of the Left in West Bengal has been on a continuous downward trajectory, a trend from which the BJP has directly benefited. The CPI(M)'s vote share—which stood at 41.09% in 2011—plummeted to a mere 4.4% in the 2026 Assembly elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP stunned everyone by winning 18 seats. Even at that time, Sitaram Yechury acknowledged that the Left's core voter base had shifted towards the BJP. In the 2026 elections, the BJP secured victories in seats such as Jadavpur, Uttarpara, and Dum Dum North—constituencies that were once considered bastions of the Left. Even young Leftist faces like Dipsita Dhar and Minakshi Mukherjee suffered defeats in the elections.

Leftist supporters believe that this is not a shift in ideology, but rather a strategic maneuver—akin to the tactics of an MMA fighter. It involves a tactical retreat—accepting defeat and stepping back for the moment—in order to conserve strength for a larger battle in the future. Their argument is that once the TMC is ousted from power, they will return to rally behind their 'Red Flag' once again.

Following the TMC's departure from power, Leftist parties are now striving to rediscover their footing and reassert their existence. Several videos are currently going viral on social media, showing Leftist workers reopening their party offices—premises that had previously been under the control of the TMC. In some instances, these offices were handed back in the presence of BJP leaders. Although the Left's position within the Legislative Assembly remains weak, signs of a resurgence have become visible in certain regions. The CPI(M) has won the Domkal seat in Murshidabad, while its ally, the ISF, has captured the Bhangar seat.