BJP, Trinamool Trying To Woo Tribal Voters Ahead Of West Bengal Elections

Picture courtesy www.indiatoday.in

Kolkata: In the run-up to next year’s Assembly polls, the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) are leaving no stone unturned to woo tribal voters of West Bengal.

Less than a fortnight after Union Home minister Amit Shah had lunch at a tribal home during his visit to the state, the ruling TMC was not to be left far behind.

After a successful road show in Bolpur, chief minister Mamata Banerjee paid a surprise visit to Ballabhpur, a tribal village in Birbhum.

The TMC supremo heard villagers’ problems and instructed party leaders to address their issues immediately. Mamata even lent a hand in cooking meals with the local people.

Political analysts feel that the tribal and backward classes have the numbers to change the fortunes of any political party.

“The Matuas and tribals in Birbhum are important voters. While there are almost 3 crore Matuas in the state, Birbhum has 11 Assembly constituencies which are mostly dominated by tribal people. The leaders’ visit can be a game changer,” said an observer.

Shah, it may be recalled, ate lunch at Basudeb Das Baul’s house in Bolpur earlier this month. Within days of Shah’s visit, the folksinger cried foul, stating that BJP leaders didn’t have the time to listen to his problems.

Baul, incidentally, was seen at the TMC rally on December 29.

Ashok Chatterjee