West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to secure a historic fourth term in office, according to the latest opinion poll projections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gaining ground in the state and is ambitious enough to challenge Mamata’s position. Meanwhile, both the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) have lost their influence. The key message for Mamata is that the BJP’s rise has come at the expense of these traditional parties.

The political contest in Bengal has intensified, rendering this election a significant moment for the state. This dynamic fosters a highly competitive political landscape. The TMC holds a clear advantage, with 119 seats categorised as very strong and an additional 95 as strong. Mamata Banerjee is facing her former aide and BJP candidate, Suvendu Adhikari, in the Nandigram constituency. The BJP has projected Suvendu as its chief ministerial face.

The BJP has concentrated its campaign on criticising the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for Mamata Banerjee’s 15 years in office. Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a chargesheet against the West Bengal government, addressing Banerjee as “Mamata ji” or “Didi” while expressing his criticisms of her leadership.

In the 2021 West Bengal elections, the TMC achieved a significant victory, securing 215 seats. This........

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