As West Bengal gears up for next year's assembly elections, the BJP is positioning itself as the voice for tribal rights. In line with this mission, the party is preparing for an extensive campaign. The BJP alleges that the tribal communities in Bengal are being neglected and subjected to oppression. The party claims to have documented five instances of atrocities in tribal areas over the past month.
BJP’s Focus on Tribal Votes
Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari presented 'evidence' of these incidents on Tuesday, accusing that various forms of discrimination against the tribal society are rampant in Bengal. The BJP plans to approach the courts and file complaints with the governor. Suvendu stressed that the Mamata government is troubling people from every community and sector.
He highlighted five reported cases of atrocities against tribals within the last month. Suvendu stated that the party is keen to present their evidence, noting that tribals are indigenous inhabitants of India. Should the need arise, the BJP will file cases and consult the governor. He mentioned instances such as the harassment of tribal women in Purulia and an incident in Medinipur where a TMC leader assaulted a tribal individual. The assailant was subsequently arrested but later granted bail.
Why Bengal's 'Jungle Mahal' Matters
Highlighting further concerns, Suvendu pointed out additional incidents of tribal oppression in the state, stressing the lack of justice for these communities to date.
Historically, the districts of Purulia, Jhargram, Midnapore, and Bankura in West Bengal are tribal-dominated areas, collectively known as 'Jungle Mahal'. The BJP performed well in these areas during the previous elections, securing victories in nearly all seats. However, by 2024, TMC had regained much of its lost ground. Hence, the BJP is now concentrating efforts on 'Jungle Mahal' and strategizing a significant campaign for tribal empowerment.
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The 'Jungle Mahal' region, once under the influence of Maoists and a stronghold for the CPM for decades, was conquered by Mamata Banerjee in the 2011 elections. Since then, this region with its 40 assembly seats has been the arena of political contention between the BJP and TMC. The BJP gained traction in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, only for the TMC to make a comeback in the 2024 elections. Now, as the state prepares for assembly elections, the BJP is intensively focusing its efforts on this critical region.
