Following the ruling Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) footprints of hiring political consultancy firm to enhance electoral performance, the Bengal chapter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also decided to enlist the services of a political analysis team to strengthen its electoral strategy. This move signals BJP’s intent to reclaim lost ground and bolster its presence in the state.
On February 27, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a meeting at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, directed party leaders to collaborate with the political consultancy firm IPAC (Indian Political Action Committee). Owing to this, the BJP, too, has decided to engage political analysts to strategise for the upcoming elections.
According to sources, the BJP’s approach will focus on cultivating a strong voter base and countering the influence of IPAC, which played a pivotal role in Trinamool Congress’s recent electoral victories— notably, the one in the Assembly Polls of 2021. The team will also survey voter sentiments and political dynamics, thereby helping the party develop targeted strategies.
The newly engaged political analysts team will work closely with individuals aligned with the BJP’s ideological framework. The recruitment process has already begun, targeting individuals below 35 years of age with a preference for members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other affiliated organisations.
The eligibility criteria also include a graduation degree, and proficiency in MS Office and Google applications. Applicants must own a vehicle (motorbike, scooter, or car) and possess a smartphone. Knowledge of laptop operations is also mandatory. The salary for this role is set at ₹35,000 per month. The team operate across 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal.
Analyst's role
The team’s primary responsibility will be to collect and analyse real-time political data. Field surveys will focus on local issues, their impact on voters, and potential resolutions. They will also monitor media coverage and assess its influence on public opinion. Key areas of analysis include:
- Identifying unresolved issues in constituencies and their political impact.
- Evaluating the relationship between local problems and voter behaviour.
- Assessing caste equations in booth-level politics.
- Contributing to the selection of BJP candidates for the assembly elections.
Why did the BJP feel the need of is this?
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP made significant inroads in West Bengal, securing 18 seats, while the ruling TMC saw its tally drop from 34 to 22.
However, following the appointment of political strategist Prashant Kishor in 2019, IPAC played a decisive role in TMC’s victory in the 2021 assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Despite BJP’s initial lead in 121 assembly constituencies in 2019, the party managed to win only 77 seats in the 2021 elections.
Furthermore, BJP’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections witnessed a decline, as its seat count in the state dropped from 18 to 12.
While the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, secured two new seats in Kanthi and Tamluk, the overall results have prompted the party to reassess its strategy.
BJP’s stand on the strategy team
While BJP leaders have refrained from publicly acknowledging their association with the political consultancy team, insiders indicate that the party is focused on leveraging professional data-driven electoral strategies.
The BJP is determined to recover lost ground and has launched its election preparedness a year in advance. The decision to engage a professional political analysis team is a part of this strategy.
A senior BJP leader said, “In 2021, a corporate firm assisted the ruling party in Bengal, leading to their victory. However, the company did not take responsibility for the post-election violence. The people of Bengal have had mixed experiences with political analysis firms. Nonetheless, considering the growing unemployment rate, we have no objections if BJP-affiliated youth seek employment opportunities in such firms."
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