1. TMC shifts campaign focus from BJP to PM Modi for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, diverging from 2019 strategy.
2. BJP retaliates with controversial caricatures of Mamata Banerjee, portraying her as Adolf Hitler and Ma Sharada Debi.
3. Caricatures draw condemnation from TMC leaders, sparking controversy ahead of elections.
Kolkata, Feb 19: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) shifts its campaign focus from the BJP to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, marking a significant departure from its 2019 strategy.
BJP’s Counter: Caricatures of Mamata Banerjee
In retaliation, the BJP launches caricatures depicting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including one portraying her as Adolf Hitler and another as Ma Sharada Debi, sparking controversy and drawing condemnation from TMC leaders.
Direct Attacks: TMC’s ‘Jaan ki Baat’ Campaign
TMC’s campaign, named ‘Jaan ki Baat,’ is launched on social media platforms to counter PM Modi’s popular radio show ‘Maan ki Baat.’ The party directly targets Modi, focusing on issues like unemployment, gender inequality, and economic disparities.
TMC’s New Approach: Data-driven Posters and Hashtag Campaign
The party releases a series of data-intensive posters and launches the hashtag campaign #NoVoteForModi, highlighting issues such as unemployment, income disparities, and failures in healthcare, particularly in Modi’s home state of Gujarat.
Also Read: BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari: PM Modi Expected to Visit Sandeshkhali to Meet Victims
The Role of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC)
TMC’s strategy is influenced by the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), led by election strategist Prashant Kishor. I-PAC’s involvement follows BJP’s significant gains in Bengal during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Political Courtesy Amidst Campaign Heat
Despite the aggressive campaign, TMC leaders cite instances of Banerjee showing political courtesy to PM Modi, refraining from direct attacks during incidents like the Gujarat bridge collapse and resolutions passed in the state assembly.
Sen’s Justification and BJP’s Response
TMC justifies its shift in strategy, targeting Modi due to his omnipresence in public imagery. However, the Bengal BJP counters, asserting Modi’s symbolic significance as a symbol of national progress.
Expert Insights: Factors Driving TMC’s Strategy Shift
Political analysts suggest that TMC’s strategy shift is motivated by the need for fresh narratives and Modi’s larger-than-life image within the BJP, akin to past political campaigns that targeted prominent leaders.
As TMC sharpens its focus on PM Modi, employing data-driven campaigns and social media tactics, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bengal promise to be a battleground of political narratives, personality-driven polarisation, and strategic manoeuvres.
