Rift in INDIA bloc comes to the fore in Bengal before third phase of Lok Sabha polls

The schism in the INDIA bloc has become more pronounced ahead of the third phase of the Lok Sabha election in which four constituencies in central West Bengal vote

The schism in the INDIA bloc has become more pronounced ahead of the third phase of the Lok Sabha election in which four constituencies in central West Bengal vote.

Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, who had participated in a few meetings of the INDIA bloc and had claimed to have given the name to the alliance, finally decided to field candidates from all the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State. She blamed the Congress for not being able to reach an electoral understanding.

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During her campaign, Ms. Banerjee has been saying there is no INDIA bloc in West Bengal and the Left parties and the Congress have been working for the BJP. The Congress, led by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and the CPI(M), led by Mohammad Salim, are not sparing an opportunity to target the Chief Minister and her government either. At a rally in Murshidabad’s Domkal, Mr. Salim, while sharing the stage with Mr. Chowdhury, vowed to drag the Chief Minister out of State Secretariat in the 2026 Assembly election.

The region has a distinct geography and demography, and the issues are constituency-specific. Both Malda and Murshidabad districts have a significant minority population and the Trinamool, the Left and the Congress leadership want to win the support of the Muslim community. The BJP is hoping that a split in the Muslim vote and a polarisation of voters will help the party.

Out of the four constituencies, the BJP had won Malda Uttar, Congress had wrested Malda Dakshin and Trinamool had won Jangipur and Murshidabad in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. This time, the BJP has launched a high-pitched campaign not only in Malda but also in Murshidabad district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have campaigned in Malda while BJP president J.P. Nadda has held rallies in Murshidabad. Ms. Banerjee and Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are campaigning extensively in the region.

These constituencies have thrown up interesting battles. The CPI(M)‘s Mr. Salim is contesting from Murshidabad against sitting MP Abu Taher Khan of the Trinamool. In Jangipur, sitting MP and beedi baron Khalilur Rahaman is pitted against Congress candidate Md. Murtaza Hossain, grandson of Congress leader Abu Hena.