Only the second phase of voting remains in West Bengal. Otherwise, the latest round of Assembly elections is over. While robust turnouts have been seen for all the assemblies, there has been special interest in the West Bengal situation. This is because the state has achieved notoriety for the stranglehold the TMC has obtained over the system and the traditional lack of fairness in the voting system. It took a huge deployment of central security forces and strict control over the bureaucracy by the Election Commission that the people could come out in large numbers without facing intimidation by TMC cadres. Even so, there were incidents that exposed the tactics used by the ruling party. It is hoped that the next round of voting will be even be more effectively managed by the ECI.
Whatever be the outcome in West Bengal, there is amazement among experts that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is still believed to be on the road to a comeback despite all the poor governance during her earlier terms. It is not just the goonda raj unleashed upon the common people, it is also the enormous failure on the economic front that has left the state impoverished at multiple levels which ought to be of concern to all. Yet, it is believed that Mamata Banerjee will carry her party to success on the back of her personal charisma.
What kind of a future can the people of the state look forward to if the TMC makes a comeback? Banerjee has already declared that it will be her goal to remove the BJP from the Centre. Should that be her objective? The refusal to collaborate with central schemes in the past has denied her people the opportunity to raise their standard of living. This policy will continue in the future. There are several sectors, such as infrastructure, health, education and industry, which have already suffered severe setbacks. Catching up with the rest of the country will become even more difficult.
The political and security consequences of a TMC victory will have to be paid for by the nation, as the anti-India forces that are opening new fronts within the cracks in the system will not only be further encouraged, but find further sanctuary in the state. The BJP should make the electorate more aware of these dangers before the next phase of voting. The battle will be won only when the last vote is cast.
