News Politics National Mamata holds fort in Bengal with consolidation of Muslim votes

Mamata holds fort in Bengal with consolidation of Muslim votes

Kolkata: The BJP made inroads in West Bengal winning two seats, but Narendra Modi's dream run was halted by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee who benefited from the 28 per cent vote share of Muslims

Mamata's verbal duel with Modi during campaigning in the state not only changed the perceived four corner contest between Congress, CPI(M), Trinamool and BJP into a bipolar fight between her and Modi, but also helped her in consolidating the votes of Muslims in south Bengal and parts of north Bengal.

“The election was more of yes Modi-no-Modi. Those who were opposed to Modi in Bengal including the minorities fully supported Mamata and those opposed to Mamata went with the BJP this time,” said Udayan Bandopadhaya, a political analyst.