Behala Purba, a vibrant assembly seat in Kolkata’s south, is witnessing a seismic political transformation. Once an impregnable TMC stronghold, the constituency—falling under Kolkata South LS seat and South 24 Parganas administratively—is now a hotspot for BJP’s aggressive vote consolidation.
Spanning 11 KMC wards, this historic seat dates to 1951. Leftist sway marked its early years: Forward Bloc in 1952, CPI in 1957-62. CPI(M) dominated 1967-2006 with nine wins, interrupted only by Congress in 1972. TMC’s breakthrough came in 2001, turning it into their turf from 2011 onward. Wins in 2011 (Sovan Chatterjee by 48k+ votes), 2016 (margin halved to 24k), and 2021 (Ratna Chatterjee by 37k over BJP) underscored their grip.
BJP’s story is one of relentless growth. From 1.91% votes in 2011, they hit 10.71% in 2016 and soared to 33.15% in 2021. Lok Sabha echoes this: 2019 saw TMC at 43.90% vs BJP’s 36.10%; 2024 tightened to TMC 45.15% against BJP 38.07%, with Left-Congress at 14.17%.
Demographics paint a picture: 313k voters, 10% SC, 4% Muslim, overwhelmingly urban. Turnout dipped from 74% to 69%. Economically vibrant with retail hubs from Taratala to Maidan, excellent connectivity via Diamond Harbour Road, and proximity to Joka (6km), Howrah (15km). Robust schools and hospitals bolster its appeal.
BJP campaigns on ousting TMC after 14 years, promising two-thirds mandate. Congress skipping the alliance might fragment opposition votes, potentially tilting this urban enclave toward saffron gains in future polls.