BJP’s massive victory in Northern Bengal became possible due to the well-planned strategy of Cabinet Minister Prahlad Singh Patel in coordination with the Prime Minister and the rest of the team. The TMC could not open its seat in Darjeeling and Alipurdwar.
While Mamta Banerjee (known as Didi which means elder sister) has won West Bengal Assembly elections but the massive victory of BJP in the northern part of West Bengal has left her astounded. The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel, who was in charge of this area, worked hard at the ground level which paid off. Patel was in charge of 42 assembly seats of Northern part of West Bengal and BJP won 25 of these seats with a landslide victory.
In Darjeeling and Alipurdwar the TMC could not even open its account as all the 10 seats were won by BJP. Though the contest was close in some constituencies but all the stalwarts of TMC lost election.
The strategy had been planned with the support of local leaders and party workers to win each booth. Patel, along with his supporters and party workers, organised several tours and performed road shows in the specific areas and the hard work paid off. His strategy of chai par charcha, which was popularised by the Prime Minister, worked very well. It enabled him to connect well with local populace and discuss local issues extensively. He made door to door visits and humbly appealed to the people to help the BJP candidates win.
He worked with the same strategy in Phansideva assembly area where he organised a road show with the party candidate and other prominent people of the area. A massive crowd was during this where Patel appealed to the voters to support the BJP candidate.
He organised a social programme in Upper Bagdogara where he said, “We will not tire till the time we win the election.” Raju Bisht, Member of Parliament of Darjeeling, was also present. Patel also inspected the ground where PM Narendra Modi would visit for a rally later.
Patel organised many meetings and programmes in the Naxalbari area where he worked with the local leaders and supporters. He encouraged the local people by saying that their efforts will pay in the victory of BJP. At Ghoshpukur party office several village heads and respected people registered themselves on account of his hard work. BJP candidate Anandmay Burman won over the TMC candidate Rajen Sundas with huge difference.
The Cabinet Minister not only inspected the rally ground in Siliguri before the PM’s rally but also ensured its success as lakhs of people were present. Patel showed his concerns about violence at the Cooch Bihar election booth and criticised Mamta Banerjee for it.
He visited the historical Devi Chaudharani Temple. On seeing the burnt idols of Bhawani Pathak and Devi Chaudharani, he expressed his concern. This place was the epicentre of Sanyasi Revolution. He criticised Mamta for the dilapidated condition of this temple and stated that she had humiliated the author, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya by not taking care of this temple. Patel also announced a mega event in his memory.
Patel was not allowed to organise roadshow in several areas of West Bengal so he either went back to his office like he did in Shantipada or appealed to the voters during a foot march. At Jalpaiguri Sadar assembly area Patel campaigned for the BJP candidate Saujit Singh.
In Nagarakata Patel held a meeting with people and organised many road shows in Banarhaat assembly area of Dhoopguri.
He was part of many rallies and public meetings which were addressed by Home Minister Amit Shah and MP of Coochbihar Nisith Pramanik. Patel visited MJN Hospital in Cooch Bihar to meet many injured party workers who were wounded in a scuffle with the TMC.
In Siliguri, Patel met with people of Gorkha community and patiently listened to their problems and promised that these would be eradicated when BJP came to power. Patel was successful in winning over the confidence of Gorkha people as BJP defeated Bimal Gurung of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha even after the support of TMC.
Patel listened to the problems of the labourers of tea gardens and assured them of eradicating every problem as well as implementation of minimum wage as early as possible.
Patel attended a cultural programme just before Bengal election where Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest. The Darjeeling MP, Raju Bisht and MLA Neeraj Tamang were also present.
After winning more than 50 per cent seats in Northern Bengal, Patel has proved his worth. Before this he was in charge of Manipur election where BJP registered a victory.
While the Bengal election was won by TMC, the success of BJP can’t be ignored. In the previous Assembly elections, BJP could manage only three seats but this time the number has risen to 77. This is an increase of more than 200 per cent which shows that BJP has fought assembly elections with great valour and courage.
