The Bengal Conundrum (Hardcover)

The definitive book on the changing political winds in West Bengal, and what it means for local governments fighting the might of the BJP nationwide.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP pulled off an unbelievable feat in Bengaltaking their tally of seats from 2 to 18 and vote share of 17 to 40 per cent in just four years. What were the key factors behind such a surge in support for the saffron party in the eastern Indian state?

In The Bengal Conundrum, senior journalist Sambit Pal attempts to explain why a state that was the citadel of Left politics for decades has seen a shift in favour of the Right in less than 10 years. Documenting the contemporary political history of Bengal, both through written and exclusive first-hand accounts, the author answers how Mamata Banerjee's politics and governance over the past few years set a fertile ground for the combined force of the BJP and the RSS to construct a compelling political narrative in Bengal.
Even as West Bengal grapples with tumultuous times—from the controversy surrounding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-on the cusp of a crucial election, it remains clear that politics in eastern India has changed irrevocably, and will be experiencing the after-effects for years to come.