In my conversation with researchers and poll analysts, I have been repeatedly told that it is the Muslims and the minorities greatly deciding Mamta’s faith in these assembly elections. Going by the statistics of the first two phases it amply becomes clear which way the wind was blowing as is being acclaimed by local activists and journalists.
No doubt anti-incumbency was a primary feature of Mamta’s second term given the expose of cases like Saradha and Narda chit fund scams. Plus, many sitting legislators and leaders began defecting from TMC to Bhartiya Janta Party essaying the task easier for Didi. This gave her the chance to overhaul the TMC from bottom to top by replacing unpopular district and block president and secretaries offering her political capital to speak on behalf of her government especially for the programmes and schemes implemented by her regime promising the welfare and wellbeing of the socially and economically excluded and marginalized.
Many argue that this cemented her position within different sections of the population in the state but not without hiccups as she has been charged by her critics as a regional authoritative satrap playing by her book. Still, remaining popular Mamta sounds politically competent and compassionate indulging in political trickery, trade and task when and where ever required. Though the Left may not like to give her a free pass but considering BJPs clout, they may be forced to unconditionally and unapologetically support her from the backdoor pinning all its hopes.