It is in Howrah, Hooghly, two divisions of Burdwan, North-24-Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia in which CPI(M) is ahead of BJP in terms of nomination filing. While CPI(M) candidates have filed 2974 nomination at gram panchayat level in Murshidabad, the same figure for BJP stands at 1660 in this mixed population district.

The CPI(M) has fielded 3091 candidates at gram panchayat tier in Nadia where the BJP nominees number 2913 at this stage of three tier democracy. The trend has continued in North-24-Parganas where at gram panchayat level CPI(M) nominations stand at 2431 and it is 2132 for the BJP.

In all, CPI(M)'s tally number 2827 gram panchayat candidates in Burdwan (east), 1839 nominees represent BJP at this tier. The pattern remains unchanged in Burdwan (west) where CPI(M) nominees number 654 at gram panchayat tier while the same amounts to 472 for the BJP.

One must not lose sight of the fact that these figures have emerged post 2021 Assembly elections following which the BJP is largest Opposition party in West Bengal. Not a single legislator represents CPI(M) in the state Assembly formed after 2021 polls. For the CPI(M) which ruled Bengal for 34 years from 1977 to 2011, the scenario is pathetic.

The saffron party leadership has sought the reasons behind this change from the respective leaderships. The district leaders are aware of the fact that it's once touted explanation of backtracking before Trinamool Congress's terror tactics won't wash on this occasion.

For the next point of the leadership's query would refer to the spurt in Left read CPI(M)'s support base which appears to have stood up to intimidation. The sharp drop in BJP nomination figures in seven districts somewhat negates the claim of the saffron camp that it has replaced the CPI(M) as the principal Opposition outfit in the state.

The solution of this apparent riddle lies in the ongoing movement of Left activists on a raft of issues including cash for teaching jobs scam which has led to several senior Trinamool leaders resting behind the bars together with the demand for dearness allowance at a rate on par with central government personnel. The BJP activists and leaders have either been conspicuous by their absence in these agitations or made a token presence.

Returning to the grassroot activists in their hour of need is not practice state BJP leaders have adhered to. Post election the BJP rank and file had been left to their fate while the leaders had other fish to fry. The distance between the leaders of the biggest Opposition party and its activists has increased. It has led to despondency among the rank and file of the saffron camp.

The saffron camp, political observers feel is no longer being considered an appropriate forum to voice anti-Trinamool issues. In so many words, the absence of BJP activists in anti-Trinamool stirs have markedly eroded its credibility.

Hence, there is lack of takers for BJP's nomination in the coming panchayat elections. The trend among CPI(M) activists to stay away from political programmes post 2021 poll debacle has been checked and a turnaround in fresh agitations brought about.

It appears that the BJP having made its presence felt in 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections rested on its laurels. In the process, political inactivity on the part of the saffron camp leadership in the state dislodged it from the crest of anti-Trinamool wave making way for the CPI(M) in some portions of it if the nomination pattern in the seven districts is anything to go by.

The panchayat poll results are likely to point out the percentage of votes that CPI(M) has cut into BJP vote share which in post 2021 elections stood at 38 per cent. Unwilling to see the writing on the wall, some BJP leaders feel that the rise in CPI(M) support base is owing to tacit Trinamool support and wither away. (IPA Service)