Near the end of March, (March 27) two major elections in India would commence in Assam and West Bengal. While for the Assam election, the CM face for BJP would be picked up after the election results are announced, the saffron party is gearing up for the uphill task in the Bengal election.

Kolkata witnessed the Brigade rally of BJP on Sunday, (March 07) which saw a fairly poor crowd, with large swathes of the ground empty on both sides. Actor Mithun Chakraborty, who had been a TMC leader, joined the BJP leaders on the stage at the rally. Locket Chatterjee, MP from Hooghly was also present at the rally. Observers in the TMC camp claimed that this shows the thin support base of the BJP in the state, but those in BJP, especially the ground workers claim that the lesser crowd cannot be taken as a mark of a thin support base. The BJP-camp workers stated that many are afraid to come out because they fear that they may face retribution from the TMC leadership. But, TMC leaders have claimed that all are free to express their political orientation without fear.

Also See: What are the problem areas of TMC and the chances of BJP in this election season in West Bengal

Many leaders in the Trinamool Congress including half a dozen MLAs have come out in the open protesting against the party decision to deny them ticket. Some of them broke down before journalists while expressing disappointment and some expressed willingness to join the BJP.

Such leaders include Sonali Guha, Satgachia MLA, and close confidant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Why did she do this to me? I was like her family member. She did not even call to tell me why I was denied ticket,” Ms. Guha said. She said that she approached BJP leader Mukul Roy and was keen on joining the saffron party. Dipali Saha, MLA from Sonamukhi in Bankura, who was also denied the ticket joined the BJP on Saturday.

Also See: West Bengal 2021: Battleground for BJP and TMC

Other TMC MLAs who could not hide their emotions include Moinuddin Shams (Nalhati), Naresh Barui (Dubrajpur) and Shampa Daripa (Bankura). Jatu Lahiri, 84, MLA from Shibpur in Howrah district, also announced his decision to quit the TMC. Party strongman and former MLA Arabul Islam has also made his disappointment public after being denied ticket from Bhangar in South 24 Parganas. Not only were there protests but supporters also blocked prominent roads and national highways. In places like Bhangar, they even attacked party offices.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Sources in the TMC said that there was no question of any alterations to the list announced on Saturday. The list is a result of careful surveys conducted over the past several months and the party has given importance to winnability.

More than 26 MLAs have been dropped from the list. Political commentator and psephologist Biswanath Chakraborty said that such protests will not be limited to the TMC and the BJP will have to grapple with them once the full list is announced.

“This tells volumes about the nature of politics here. In fact, the disappointment is also linked with the loss of economic clout as an MLA. This explains quitting the party and joining the other party within hours after being denied ticket,” Mr. Chakraborty, who is head of political science at the Rabindra Bharati University, said.

Also see: Trilateral fight in West Bengal election 2021

Days ahead of the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal, BJP announced its first list of candidates for the first two phases of the high-stake polls. The state is set to see a key battle at Nandigram between Trinamool Congress supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her former aide Suvendu Adhikari, who recently switched to BJP.

The list comes a day after the ruling party-TMC announced its candidates for the polls.

The state goes to polls in eight phases, March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26, and April 29. The results for the 294 assembly seats will be declared on May 2.