The happenings in Sandeshkhali grew curiouser and curiouser as TMC and BJP hurled accusations at each other at what was till the other day, a stronghold of the ruling party. Manhandling of a team of Enforcement Directorate officials trying to enter Shahjahan's house in Sandeshkhali triggered a rapidly unfolding real life drama with allegations of land grabbing, sexual exploitation of some local women and unearthing of a cache of arms.

Suddenly the TMC leadership found itself caught on the wrong foot. Things came to such a pass that instead of dropping in at Sandeshkhali to take stock of the situation, senior TMC leaders including party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee stayed away from the spot. Apprehending an outburst of public outrage, Basirhat's TMC MP Nusrat Jahan did not visit the area. It was obvious that she had been asked not to go to Sandeshkhali by the powers that be.

The TMC leadership appeared to be shell shocked even as BJP announced Rekha Patra, allegedly one of the abused women would be its nominee in Basirhat. By then, the TMC leadership has decided not to renominate Nusrat Jahan as the situation required a more "seasoned and sterner" candidate. Patra received the Prime Minister's telephonic blessings. A women's team from Sandeshkhali met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

It was at this point when the TMC had its back against the wall that a change in the tide in TMC's favour was noticeable. Purported sting videos circulated by Trinamool appear to show that a local BJP leader suggesting women had been paid to make allegations and sign in blank sheets which were later filled out as complaints of sex crimes against TMC leaders.

Now the boot was on the other foot. TMC announced Haji Nurul Islam's name as it'sBasirhat Lok Sabha candidate. Nurul who won from this constituency in 2009 is known for his strong arm tactics. Nirapada Sardar, a former MLA and a CPI(M) wholetimer will contest on behalf of the CPI(M) Congress combine. Reverting to ground realities, Minakha, Harwa and Baduria have a strong Trinamool presence with pockets of ISF influence whose nominee Akhtar Rahman Biswas is also in the poll fray.

Meanwhile, the saffron camp is at a disadvantage with a non-political nominee. If Rekha Patra has had her candidature riding the crest of a popular movement, the agitation has ebbed as the election inches closer. The agitation losing steam is a pointer to the flab in BJP organisation. To offset it, BJP candidate Patra who attended a rally with the Prime Minister Modi is criss crossing Basirhat.

And allegation of sexual exploitation of some local women of Sandeshkhali is not the sole weapon in BJP candidate’s campaign arsenal. The people attending her rallies are being promised that once elected she will raise the issues of potholed roads, abysmal healthcare facilities and the problems of river barrages in Parliament and get them repaired. Even Prime Minister in his latest rally mentioned that the BJP candidate Rekha is a strong woman and she would raise all the issues of local people in Lok Sabha if elected.

It remains to be seen whether BJP's claim of winning in Baduria, Sandeshkhali, Basirhat Dakshin and Hingalgunj holds good. On the other hand, CPI (M) has also some support base in Baduria. Many residents of Basirhat and Taki municipalities are expected to vote for the saffron camp. The area having been visited by a communal conflagration earlier, has led to some sort of communal polarization.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continuously harping on the Sandeshkhali incidents to lambast TMC rule in Bengal in his current campaign in the state,. This has given some boost to the Basirhat candidate. The PM mentioned of Rekha Patra a number of times and praised her fight against the Trinamool leaders. The local BJP is trying to take advantage of it. But the problem of the BJP is that majority of electorate in this constituency belongs to minorities and both TMC and the Left have support base among them though in the recent years, the CPI(M) has been losing its influence among the Muslims. CPI(M) candidate Nirapada Sardar is active in campaigning but the polarization of voters between the TMC and the BJP, has restricted his role..

Despite Narendra Modi’s intensive campaign in Basirhat, the TMC through its superior organizational machinery has been able to do damage management of Sandeshkhali affairs, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has also addressed rallies in the recent days. The TMC cadres are again upbeat after lying low for some time after Sandeshkhali events. BJP’s Rekha Patra is trying her best to capture the seat but it will be a tough task. All the three contestants are making last minute preparations for the final polling battle on June 1. (IPA Service)