Bangladeshi votes decisive in Bengal: emerging Red-green divide?

Emerging Red-Green divide in Bengal

(Graphic: courtesy Times of India)

There have been innumerable discussions, Governors’ reports, press releases on the role of illegal Bangladeshis during elections in the border areas of Bengal and Assam, “conspiracy theories” that the Bangladesh border is pushing west or on the creation of “Greater Bangla”. It just doesn’t get any clearer than this - the entire Muslim “bangla” has shifted its weight from the Red brigade to the Green brigade, i.e. from CPI(M) to Congress/Trinamool. And, the result is here for all of us to see. In the light of the observation that BJP votes made significant differences in at least 6 lok sabha seats, a big question arises as to how BJP or pro-Hindu forces should align. Frankly, the choice is between the devil and the deep sea and there is no good answer. There cannot be a good answer because when it comes to appeasing the Bangladeshis, both CPM and TMC are trying to the hilt. But, what’s pertinent is that BJP drives home the message that neither CPI(M) nor Congress/TMC, propped by illegal Bangladeshi votes, can save Bengal. BJP needs to seize this space now more than ever.