Local Alliances Shift as Districts Prepare for High-Stakes Electoral Battle
With just over a year to go before the 2025 West Bengal Panchayat Elections, both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have begun early ground-level mobilization across the state’s rural belts.
The upcoming polls, which are often a precursor to the political mood ahead of state or Lok Sabha elections, will cover over 3,300 gram panchayats, 340 panchayat samitis, and 20 zilla parishads across 22 districts.
Early Campaigning Begins in Key Districts
In Murshidabad, Nadia, and Bankura, political workers from both parties have started door-to-door outreach, party flag drives, and social media campaigns. While the TMC is leaning heavily on its Duare Sarkar welfare schemes, BJP is focusing on allegations of rural corruption and unmet promises from the previous polls.
“The panchayat level is where real politics is played,” said political analyst Dr. Biplab Dutta. “It’s the closest to the voter, and the fiercest battles are fought here.”
CPI(M) and Congress Explore Local Tie-Ups
In districts like Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, local CPI(M) units have signaled interest in issue-based alliances with Congress at the block level. The two parties are expected to announce joint candidate lists for certain tribal belts by early June.
However, observers remain skeptical about their ability to translate coordination into significant seat wins unless voter consolidation happens on the ground.
Security and Voter Rights in Focus
Following reports of pre-poll violence and booth capturing during the 2023 panchayat elections, the State Election Commission (SEC) has begun consultations with central security forces. District collectors have been asked to submit vulnerability maps by July.
Civic groups and opposition leaders have demanded webcasting in sensitive booths and better protection for polling staff in conflict-prone zones like Purulia, Birbhum, and North Dinajpur.
Why the 2025 Rural Polls Matter
Panchayat elections in Bengal often indicate which party is winning the rural mindshare. In 2018, the TMC won over 90% of uncontested seats, a statistic that triggered national debate over electoral fairness.
For BJP, this election is crucial to regain lost ground in the post-2021 assembly phase, especially in North Bengal and Junglemahal. For TMC, it’s about consolidating rural control before the 2026 state polls.
