BJP’s Task in Bengal is Bigger, tougher and road is dusty, bumpy, hot and slushy.
According to me a broad idea about this challenge will be – if winning elections was 20% work, then getting things back on track in the state is 80%.
“Ekla Chalo Re” (Bengali: একা চল রে) is a famous Bengali poem and song written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905, fits to a T for the new government. They need to walk the talk- they have to do it themselves; no one will come to help- in fact people will create hurdles, especially TMC who is used to blood money for last 15 years. They to an extent depend on the public who should cooperate to save their own skin. If public and government work in tandem things will change- quickly.
Stretch between 1947 and 2026 is best understood as a temporary Hiatus. As if civilization paused for 75 years. This was due to three hostile regimes, and now, for the first time in a hundred and fifteen years, because of BJP victory it is now structurally unshackled.
Their time starts now.
The problem is many-fold.
- Governance and structural correction
- External security- border management
- Providing safety by dismantling deep rooted citadel of TMC, money power and muscle power is like and octopus or multi-pus.
- The biggest bump on the road to recovery. Changing the mindset of ‘cholbe na’. these are mental tunnels as deep and long as of ‘Gaza’; deeply ingrained in Bengali people’s mind (now in DNA) by Communist parties 34-year rule- that protest, strike, dharna, ‘union bajee’ and gherao is your right. Earning is a right not working. ‘sadda haq aithe rakh’. It got further messy with deep grassroot level corruption which was normalised by TMC. Right plus get your right by paying is an explosive combo for a civilisation- you are brought up on that for close to a century- this is in a way civilizational radicalisation.
The CPI didn’t just teach Bengalis to protest; they made agitation a core component of Bengali identity. It also created a challenging environment for modern economic growth that the state is still grappling with today.
Even today, though the Left is no longer in power, the “Michhil” (procession) remains a signature of Bengali life. The muscle memory of agitation remains deep in the culture.
There are so many things to be sorted out that they will have to do several things simultaneously- yet prioritising the itinerary.
Why should I put my money in Bengal?
If as an industrialist/businessman I invest 10,000 crores and put up a plant- it is hardware I create, but software is the work culture. Every business has to make decent profit. If people are not ready to deliver, how will my production happen? I need to be competitive with the rest of the country and the world too.
I am not investing my hard earned in thousands of crores just because it is ‘dharti’ of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Robindra Nath Tagore, Satyajit Ray or it produced the revolutionaries — from Bagha Jatin to Khudiram Bose to Surya Sen to Subhas Chandra Bose. I need a clear run way and supporting people and policy.
Bengalis are known for finesse and intellect as well as art. This does give them a sense of ‘superiority’ could be called a complex if you look at it differently.
As an author of close to sixty books, I have had most of my editors who are Bengalis from established publishing houses. Over the last 25 years I find them to be very good. You have top doctors, poets, actors, singers, musicians, composers from this tribe. They are islands of individual excellence.
A haughty attitude often stems from a sense of intellectual superiority. This creates a massive barrier to collaborative productivity. And in a competitive world- industrialisation is based on hard work, rule-based obedience and delivering results. Intellects many times sit on a high horse and may not work as desired by the organization and its vision and mission. They feel that they are being asked to toe the line! Which is insulting and hurts their ego. But that is how the world works today- you adapt according to the world standards and not the other way round.
The “Unionized” Mindset and Industrial Relations and collective bargaining is ingrained into the worker’s character.
The problem of 70 years-since independence cannot be resolved in one tenure which is just five years. The ratio is skewed- 70:5 or 14:1
They will not only require a double engine ki sarkar but also require a ‘bulldozer mindset’.
Bulldozer mindset is the only way to turn around a sick unit- and for us West Bengal is a unit, which is unwell. The ailment is chronic.
The most powerful bulldozer ever built is the ACCO Super Bulldozer, an Italian-made custom machine with 1,350 horsepower.
This needs to get into every one’s head- public and government. You don’t require it on the road but in your mind.
The Nazi party analogy
Germans were a very intelligent people. But hey got fooled by (or incited) Adolf Hitler. They were made to do things which are unthinkable.
It was a land of great minds. Ludwig van Beethoven (Music), Hannah Arendt (Political Theory), and Werner Heisenberg (Physics/Uncertainty Principle). You can’t discount Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Germany’s greatest literary figure. Albert Einstein and Max Planck great scientists.
They were ruled by a dictator and took them to their doom’s day- in later day by force- like TMC, under leadership of Mamta Banerjee.
The only good thing her dictatorial rule of appeasement and extortion against Hindu community was that she united them. This will see a nationwide ‘renaissance’. This would benefit the entire nation and the Hindus who were too tolerant till now are no more the same. They have their voice and confidence back- thanks to BJP. Now no one is trying to be politically right and there is an open shut up call to those who want to taunt the Hindus- no more. This is also reflected it Tamil Nadu- won’t take any more crap now. You do it to us and we will give it back to you with compounded interest.
Now the BJP is also confident that Hindus have finally united, and why not?
Hitler was mad but was focussed ‘for the nation’ but Mamta was focussed only on power and family fiefdom of making money- or even caring for national security. She and her ilk were openly threatening to kill if the were not voted to power!
Need for a tectonic shift in mindset of Bangla people
Renaissances are often interrupted, but rarely killed. But this time the gap is three quarter of a century- enough to see three to four generations pass. Though the youth in Bengal today are aspiring to do well they carry the burden of rebellion and anarchy passed through generations.
They still have the hangover of inherited work culture which fostered a ” saab chalta hai” (everything will do, it is okay) attitude toward productivity, as job security was seen as an absolute right. The world has moved on, to different levels- today you are hired for competence and not tantrums or birth right.
For this people have to bootstrap themselves, change their mindset, be hungry for job and perform.
Government can invest but people have to be responsive and prepared to sweat. Why Germans are doing better than Portuguese? It is Mindset.
Governance and structural correction.
The solution always starts from the top. In this case the government especially the new CM will get full support of the centre if required some hand holding till he starts flying solo. The police which is the custodian of law needs ‘loyalty correction’ and clear top and middle rung tough and honest leadership. Need to give them a free hand.
Trust but verify should be the fulcrum philosophy of Bengal government, a Russian phrase used by US president Ronald Reagan.
The first is the governance reset, which is necessary and which had better be executed without delay: law and order in the border districts, the syndicate raj broken, the autonomy of the universities restored against political-cadre appointments, women safety on high priority.
Dismantling the cartel
Most difficult and painful task for the new incumbent- deep rooted filth- weeding out one by one. Corruption, cordite and blood could be smelt in the environment- cultivated over last 15 years by TMC. The TMC muscle power is well developed, well fed and paid as well as allegedly supported by local police. They have tasted blood of the innocents- especially Hindus- rape, torture and murder was their style. Though no official number is available but they must be in tens of thousands- no wonder centre had deployed record 2.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel in West Bengal during elections.
These guys will not give up easily unless tough measures are taken by the police and the administration.
National security- top priority
the Siliguri Corridor popularly called the Chicken’s neck is a slender area of land in West Bengal, India, measuring approximately 60 km in length and only 20–22 km wide at its narrowest point. It connects the rest of India with all the Eastern states. Its shape is such that it looks like neck of a chicken.
It connects India’s northeastern states to the rest of the country, bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
West Bengal which is bordering Bangladesh was a troubled area which allowed illegal immigrants to enter India. With Bihar and Orissa as BJP ruled state, the trouble was WB through which this narrow corridor passed and like a funnel connected to Assam which is also now with BJP.
With Bengal under BJP- it’s not only the neck and beyond, but the entire chicken is now safe.!
Border fencing with Bangladesh is a very serious problem. TMC never permitted to give land to centre for building border fencing- a state responsibility. Total unfenced gap which needs to be plugged is 460 Km approximately through which Bangladeshi infiltration is done. This needs to be done on superfast priority number one.
If China rolls out its tanks in this narrow corridor and blocks it- it becomes a deadlock worse than Hormuz by Iran. Delhi government needs to have full control in and around the neck. No interference by any state chief minister. West Bengal was showing this and trying to get cosy with Bangladesh- now in a state of flux.
The next step would be to carve out a Union Territory from north of WB so that the entire control is with the centre and MOD can plan deployment of Armed forces close by.
BJP thinks miles ahead- and it should. They positioned a new Governor in WB just a few weeks ago. Appointment of a new Governor is not just an administrative decision, but a strong signal of experience and strategic intent. Mr. Ravi has been moved from TN where he was the governor- he has experience of that job already.
A former IPS officer, in addition, Ravi has played a significant role in India’s internal security and policy framework. He has served as Deputy National Security Advisor and was also a key interlocutor for the central government in the Naga peace process. These roles have positioned him as an experienced and trusted figure within India’s strategic and administrative system.
His appointment could contribute toward maintaining administrative balance and ensuring the effective discharge of constitutional responsibilities and also be of immense use with the border issues.
It highlights how experience in security, diplomacy, and policy-making can intersect with constitutional roles at the state level.
The cultural reset
Bengal produced Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana. And it produced, alongside all this, money- the Bengal Presidency by the 1910s contributed more than half of British India’s overseas trade, and Calcutta operated as the second city of the Empire after London. Calcutta, in Curzon’s honest phrase, had become heated; in plainer ‘language’, it had begun to win the argument with the West, and the argument had become inconvenient.
What was done to Bengal between 1911 and 2026 was not natural decline. It was the cumulative work of three regimes, each of which had a structural interest in keeping the place weak. The British recognised in 1911 that they could no longer manage Calcutta and moved their capital out. This was one major reason.
This cultural revival involves treating Bengal’s universities as universities rather than as patronage networks; deploying Visva-Bharati and Belur Math and Bose Institute as the civilisational generators their founders intended; recovering Subhas Chandra Bose, Vivekananda and Aurobindo from the dismissive custody of the secular consensus; and above all, making it possible for an ambitious young Bengali to imagine a future in Calcutta that does not require leaving Calcutta.
Subhash Bose was the son of the soil and yet the CPM rule of almost 35 years was sheepish about his contributions to freedom struggle.
The political landscape in Bengal for the last 50 years significantly shaped how Bose was discussed:
Initially- beginning of WW 2, Communist party which got its dictates from Russia (communist hub) was asked to be appreciative of Bose as Russia was with Germany. From 1939 to June 1941, the USSR was officially neutral but acted in coordination with Germany, invading Poland and Finland.
June Germany attacked Russia who then joined the Allies. Now since Russians and British were on the same side and Bose was still with Germany and fighting in Kohima (north east) along with Japanese CPM was told to condemn Bose which they did in abundance.
Once they came to power in W.B they had no face to call him a hero. In addition, Nehru and Gandhi stole the Narrative of freedom fight and labelled Bose as revolutionary not freedom fighter and sidelined Bose. Therefore, when in the beginning from 1947 to 1977, Congress ruled Bengal, Bose was never given any importance and next 35 years CPM did nothing for obvious reasons.
Statue of Freedom
The Prime Minister got a statue of Bose on Kartavya path. A 28-foot-tall monolithic black granite statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate in New Delhi on September 8, 2022. Located in the canopy formerly occupied by a statue of King George V, it is one of India’s tallest, realistic, and monolithic handmade sculptures.
The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue, with a height of 182 metres (597 feet), depicts Indian politician and independence activist Sardar Patel. Patel played a significant role in the political integration of India.
It is time bring Bengals glory back by building statue of freedom- hugely tall- in WB depicting Bose and his contribution. There are great artists in Bengal who will help build this- the government just has to start.
Renaissance of – Sanatan
The concept of India as a “Sanatani Israel” has evolved from a niche geopolitical comparison into a significant cultural and strategic narrative. This framework suggests that India, like Israel, is moving toward a future where its identity as an ancient civilization (Sanatana Dharma) is the primary driver of its modern statehood, security, and global influence. If jews got hammered for centuries, so were Hindus. Safe haven for Jews across the world is Israel (they say it loud and clear)- where is it for Hindus? It has to be Bharat- Hindustan. Time for political correctness has long gone- now say it to the face loud and clear.
As of 2026, this “forging ahead” is visible through several distinct parallels in defence, cultural revival, and the “Civilizational State” model. Hindus are no more defensive- they may not be offensive but are now certainly assertive- saffron is our colour- on the flag too- now this has painted WB Bhagwa (Saffron is a sacred, vibrant orange-red colour symbolizing fire, purity, sacrifice, and the sun in Hinduism. – abhee to picture bakee hai dost.
It takes two to tango.
Now Hindus are fully awake and kicking. The BJP has laid the foundation in the last few years across the country with solid action- patiently.
Yet Hindus had a number of issues which had not been addressed all along after our Independence. We were made to wear the ‘choga’ (cloak) of secularism supported by liberal brigade and the left, Congress, which infiltrated bottom upwards- schools to colleges to universities- often blatantly. No ‘parda’, no shame, no pretence- just pushed it left right and centre.
Electricity rates are alarming to say the least. Rs.7.85 per unit for general citizens. Masjid Rs 1.85 per unit, Church Rs.1.85 per unit, Temple Rs.7.85 per unit. This is our secular India. Hindus have realised that it is time to push back and in unison.
In his talk organized by Prabodhan Manch, Dr. Anand Ranganathan pointed out discrimination so entrenched, in our constitution, policy, laws, and judgments, that it makes Hindus not just second-class citizens but, rather, eighth-class citizens.
Anand began his address with the words “Ever since Mahatma Gandhi succeeded in controlling this nation’s pulse, we have witnessed minority appeasement on an unprecedented scale, sometimes as virtue signalling at other times as placation of victimhood”.
He highlighted Gandhi’s appeasement policy that comes through in the latter’s speech where he says Hindus shouldn’t harbour any anger or hatred for Muslims even if Muslims wanted to destroy and kill Hindus. Mamta did it and Hindus collectively kicked her out.
The point he was trying to make wasn’t about appeasement but about apartheid and the discrimination entrenched in the constitution, policies, legal framework, society and psyche that makes Hindus eighth-class citizens.
For example, state control of Hindu temples and their properties; Secularism means total separation of state and religion but in Bharat only Mandirs are controlled by the government. Mandirs have been centres of worship, learning, community living, trade & economy, statecraft, and even defence.
The British passed this trait to Brown Sahibs who are continuing to carry forward the British legacy since independence in the form of various regulations. Hindus have been at the receiving end of state-sponsored loot and pillaging of Mandirs due to these regulations. The Congress government passed the Hindu religious and charitable endowments Act 1959 to further snub Hindus which were challenged and struck down by the courts.
TMC under Mamta did still worse- Hindus were punished during every festival- it was difficult to say ‘Jai shree Ram’.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we n
ow afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.”
-Shakespeare
