Vote shares in 2014

Vote shares in 2019 (not final data)

NEW DELHI: From just two seats in 2014, the BJP now looks poised to win over 15 seats in West Bengal. The party's sharp focus on the state, and efforts of PM Modi and Amit Shah seem to be paying the desired dividends.More importantly, the BJP has increased its vote share to nearly 40% from just 17% in 2014. The Trinamool Congress, the dominant party in the state has also grown its vote share by 6%, and seems on track to win about 25 seats, but the BJP has put up a strong performance in the state.A depleted Left, that had about 23% vote share in 2014, stares at drawing a blank this time. Congress too has ceded much ground, with only Adhir Chowdhury in a position to hold his seat.Lok Sabha election complete coverageThe logical explanation - the Left vote bank has gravitated majorly towards the BJP, which is now being seen as the principal opposition to Mamata Banerjee's TMC. It also seems to be the only party to benefit from any anti-incumbency sentiment against the Mamata government.Lok Sabha election 2019For BJP, winning in West Bengal has been a priority since 2014. Sensing it has much to gain, the party invested huge resources in the state. Prime Minister Modi held 17 rallies - the highest in a single state after UP, and unprecedented for a state where it was not even considered the foremost opposition.Mukul Roy's threat of toppling the Mamata govt, or PM Modi's claim of 40 TMC MLAs being in touch to cross over should be a reality check for Didi and her party.