“Mamata expects minority support. She didn’t look for support from others. They’ll make a decision right now, ” Home Minister Amit Shah said.
Elections are being held in 8 phases for 294 constituencies in the West Bengal Assembly. Muslims have more than 31 percent of the vote share in West Bengal. This is the key factor behind the Left Front’s 34-year rule and Mamata’s victory in 2011. This time as well, their votes will play a role in determining the regime. Any division that occurs in the Muslim vote bank will affect 90 constituencies. This is the problem for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
Abbas Siddiqui’s secular front, which has allied with the Left and the Congress, is likely to divide Muslim votes, which is disastrous for Mamata. This could help the BJP gain ground in the polls. As a result, Mamata Banerjee has lobbied for Muslims to vote for her party.
Amit Shah, speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, said: “Mamata’s request for minority support reveals that she lacks the required strength. She is concerned that the TMC will lose this election. She must be certain that others would notice her request for minority support. She did not seek the support of others. Now they have to make a decision.” He added that the BJP would win 63-68 seats in the first three phases of the elections that ended in 91 constituencies going to polls.
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