How CAA Mamata Banerjee’s Political Calculations Shape CAA Politicals in West Bengal ( कैसे सीएए ममता बनर्जी की राजनीतिक गणना पश्चिम बंगाल में सीएए की राजनीति को आकार देती है )
Ahead of the elections, the BJP government conducted several surveys. The survey revealed that if the BJP implements the Citizenship (Amendment) Act CAA, Mamata Banerjee’s politics, will benefit in the elections. The implementation of the law is believed to benefit Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, especially the Matua community and the Namshudra community. These groups have long been settled in districts like Nadia and North 24 Parganas near the international border with Bangladesh and have been seeking Indian citizenship. The impact of CAA could be significant in at least five Lok Sabha seats in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts. In addition, two to three seats in the state can also see electoral effects. In the last few years, the number of people coming from Bangladesh to the border areas of Bengal has been about 10 to 15 per cent of the state’s population. This percentage has a significant influence in any election. The southern part of the state has a sizeable population, especially in five Lok Sabha seats, including two in Rannaghat. The BJP won in 2019.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Matua community in North Bengal ahead of the 2019 elections. The Jessore region of North Bengal has a sizeable population of Rajbanshi and Namshudra communities. The BJP won three seats in 2019. In Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Balurghat, the population of Hindu refugees is over 40 lakh. The BJP’s internal survey said Hindu refugees have long been demanding the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. According to the survey, the Matua community has a sizeable population in about 30 to 35 assembly segments in the southern region of the state.
Assembly constituencies fall under five to six parliamentary constituencies. That is, the Matua community can decide the results in these seats and their inclination towards the BJP has been clear since 2019 and the BJP has also worked to fulfill their long-standing demands. But why does Mamata oppose this CAA? We understand it too. In the 2015 assembly elections, CAA Mamata Banerjee’s political party won 24 out of 33 Assembly constituencies in North 27 Parganas, but in the 2019 general election, the vote share of the TMC declined. The party trailed in 12 assembly constituencies, while the BJP made significant progress. Among them, Bagda Banga North, Banga South and Gayeshwar assembly constituencies are safe seats where the importance of the community population is 80 per cent.
In light of these electoral dynamics, Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to the CAA becomes apparent. The decline in the vote share of the TMC in key constituencies, coupled with the strategic progress of the BJP, is a direct challenge to its stronghold in West Bengal. The Mutua community, with its significant presence in several constituencies, emerges as an important factor in electoral results. Mamata’s opposition to the CAA can be understood as a move to maintain the support of this important voting bloc.
Moreover, the political calculation of CAA Mamata Banerjee extends beyond electoral considerations. His opposition to the CAA also stems from ideological and ethical concerns. He has sharply criticized the law for its discriminatory nature and alleged violations of constitutional principles. By establishing herself as a champion of secularism and inclusivity, Mamata aims to garner support from different sections of society, beyond narrow electoral calculations.
Moreover, the CAA Mamata Banerjee political has triggered widespread protests across the country, with critics calling it a threat to India’s secular fabric and a betrayal of its founding principles. Mamata Banerjee’s vocal resistance to the Law Associates her with this overarching narrative of dissent against perceived authoritarianism and majoritarianism. By leading the charge against the CAA, she wants to unite opposition forces and present herself as a shield against what she portrays as undemocratic tendencies.
In short, CAA Mamata Banerjee’s political opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in West Bengal is driven by the complex interplay of electoral calculations, ideological commitments and strategic considerations. As she moves into the fluctuating terrain of Indian politics, her stance on this controversial issue will continue to shape the political landscape of the region and resonate on the national stage