BJP's Rising Hindutva Vote Share Amidst West Bengal Political Tensions

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains steadfast despite a defeat in the Kaliganj Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, claiming its highest-ever Hindu vote share in the constituency. According to BJP state co-incharge Amit Malviya, this is due to an increasing 'Hindutva consciousness' and backlash against recent Murshidabad riots.

In response to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won broad support across religions and castes, Malviya argued that the TMC's support relies heavily on Muslim vote banks, illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, and radical elements. He cited the BJP's growing Hindu vote share as evidence of a shift akin to Hindus abandoning the Left.

Malviya criticized Banerjee for alleged lawlessness and misgovernance, highlighting the death of a young girl in a bomb blast during TMC celebrations as a symptom of 'violent, vote-bank-driven politics'. He accused Mamata Banerjee of radicalizing politics and failing as an administrator, amidst claims of an 'undeclared Emergency' in the state, following the suspension of BJP MLAs in the state Assembly.

(With inputs from agencies.)