Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh has emphatically dismissed the notion that the recent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) victory in the Bihar assembly elections will have any bearing on the upcoming polls in West Bengal. His comments came as a direct rebuttal to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who, buoyed by the Bihar results, have confidently proclaimed that ‘Bengal is next.’

Ghosh offered a detailed set of arguments explaining why the political dynamic in West Bengal is unique and why the factors that decided the Bihar outcome will not be replicated in the state.

The Uniqueness of Bengal’s Political Terrain

Responding to the BJP’s post-Bihar optimism, Kunal Ghosh asserted the distinct nature of West Bengal’s electoral landscape. He argued that the fundamental issues driving voter sentiment in Bengal are vastly different from those in Bihar.

In a social media post, Ghosh outlined the key ‘factors’ that he believes will decide the election:

“The impact of the Bihar vote will not fall on Bengal. In Bengal, the factors are development, unity, harmony, rights, and self-respect.”

He further claimed that the people of Bengal consistently support the TMC “for their overall interests,” predicting a landslide victory for Mamata Banerjee with the party securing over 250 seats. Addressing the BJP’s comparison between the two states, Ghosh sharply retorted, “Don’t make an absurd comparison between Bihar and Bengal.”

Allegations of Central Conspiracy and Abuse of Power

The TMC leader did not hold back in alleging a concerted effort by the BJP and the central machinery to influence the elections in West Bengal. This, according to Ghosh, includes the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the electoral rolls.

Ghosh alleged that the BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission of India and central agencies, will attempt to misuse power:

“There will be a conspiracy in Bengal by the BJP and the National Election Commission regarding the SIR and ancillary issues. There will be misuse of central power and agencies. The Trinamool’s movement will continue against this. The Trinamool will defeat all conspiracies of the BJP through intense public outreach with the people.”

This statement followed claims by BJP leaders, such as Arjun Singh, that the SIR process—which preceded the Bihar polls—would also favourably impact the BJP’s prospects in Bengal.

Blasting BJP’s ‘Threats’ and Congress’s Failure

Ghosh also addressed BJP leaders who have used the Bihar result to issue what he terms “threats” to the TMC:

“The BJP leaders who are making statements and threatening Bengal by showing Bihar are unnecessarily wasting their time. People’s love cannot be gained by hurting the rights and self-respect of the people of Bengal, just by showing another state.”

He championed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the sole political refuge for the masses, stating, “Here, through winter, summer, and monsoon, Mamata Banerjee is the only assurance.” He even suggested that “many states, including Bihar, are following her development model.”

Finally, Ghosh seized the opportunity to critique the Congress party, reaffirming the TMC’s stance that the national opposition is failing in its primary role:

“It has been proven again and again that the Congress is unsuccessful in opposing the BJP, and this is repeatedly evident.”

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