Barrackpore, May 17, 2024 - The political atmosphere in Barrackpore is heating up as both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have fielded their strongest leaders in this high-stakes constituency. Arjun Singh, representing the BJP, faces off against TMC's Partha Bhowmick, promising a fiercely contested election.
Arjun Singh, a seasoned politician with two decades as an MLA in Bhatpara and five years as Barrackpore's MP, is relying on his non-Bengali identity to win over the substantial non-Bengali population in the area. Additionally, he hopes to leverage the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Singh faces significant anti-incumbency backlash due to his frequent party switches—from TMC to BJP, back to TMC, and now once again to BJP. The post-poll violence following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections further complicates his prospects.
Partha Bhowmick, known for his clean image, enters the fray with considerable support. Though some might perceive his candidacy as a step down from his previous ministerial role in the state government, Bhowmick is seen as TMC’s ideal candidate. He has adeptly managed internal party factionalism and stands to benefit from any linguistic polarization, a strategy that proved successful for TMC in the 2021 elections.
Recent municipality and panchayat polls suggested a potential revival for the Left. However, their chances in this election appear slim as many anti-TMC voters are expected to consolidate behind the BJP to support Narendra Modi. The aftermath of the 2019 poll violence has ushered in a new era of politics in Barrackpore, transforming it into a key battleground for Bengali nationalism.
As the election approaches, all eyes are on Barrackpore, where the clash between Singh and Bhowmick could set the tone for the broader political landscape in West Bengal.
