The Emergence of Parallel Politics in West Bengal
Party has left the building: The rise of parallel politics in Bengal
Hindustan Times
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In West Bengal, political dynamics are shifting as local party structures become less influential compared to external consultancies like I-PAC. This change reflects a broader trend where political parties, including the Trinamool Congress and BJP, are relying on parallel infrastructures to engage voters, raising questions about the sustainability of this approach.
- 01Local party structures in West Bengal are losing influence to external consultancies like I-PAC.
- 02The Trinamool Congress has created parallel systems to address voter grievances, bypassing local party cadres.
- 03This shift is leading to a perception of local party machines as extractive rather than supportive.
- 04The BJP is also facing organizational challenges and is utilizing federal institutions to compensate for its lack of local presence.
- 05The upcoming 2026 elections may test the effectiveness of these parallel structures in maintaining voter support.
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In West Bengal, the political landscape is witnessing a significant transformation as local party structures, particularly of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), appear to be overshadowed by external political consultancies like the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). This shift indicates a growing reliance on parallel infrastructures for voter engagement, as evidenced by initiatives such as Didi Ke Bolo and Duare Sarkar, which allow citizens to communicate grievances directly to the leadership, bypassing local party cadres. This change has fostered a perception among voters that while TMC leadership remains popular, local party machines are increasingly viewed as extractive and disciplinary rather than supportive. The BJP, facing similar organizational challenges, has opted to leverage federal institutions to bolster its presence in the state. As West Bengal approaches the 2026 elections, it remains to be seen whether these parallel structures can effectively address the underlying issues within the parties and maintain voter loyalty.
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The shift towards parallel political structures may affect how voters perceive and interact with local party representatives, potentially influencing electoral outcomes.
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