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West Bengal Assembly Election Features Unique Opposition Strategy, Electoral Commission Push
West Bengal's upcoming Assembly election is unique, as the main opposition party seeks victory by reducing the voter pool, while the ruling party aims to maintain all voter names. The Election Commission of India is challenging West Bengal's long-standing electoral practices, while the ruling party resists change.
Biswanath Chakraborty, a prominent psephologist in West Bengal, has analyzed the upcoming high-stakes Assembly election, noting unprecedented electoral strategies and shifting loyalties. Chakraborty said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party, is attempting to win by decreasing the number of voters. According to Chakraborty, the ruling party wants to retain all voters, including deceased individuals and illegal immigrants. Chakraborty noted that the Election Commission of India wants to challenge West Bengal's age-old electoral practices, while the ruling party aims to continue these practices. Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner, has stated his intent to change West Bengal's image, particularly regarding electoral violence.
Key Facts
- Biswanath Chakraborty is a leading psephologist in West Bengal and an author of over 20 books on government, politics, and voting behaviour.
- The main opposition party in West Bengal wants to win the election by deleting voters, a unique strategy in Indian electoral history.
- The ruling party aims to retain all voter names, including those of deceased individuals and illegal immigrants.
- The Election Commission of India is working to counter the electoral culture of West Bengal, including violence and voter intimidation.
- The Election Commission seeks to prevent proxy voting and the unrestrained use of money and muscle power.
- The current electoral system in West Bengal has become institutionalised.