The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) bid to shed the 'Bohiragoto' (outsider) tag has finally paid off in West Bengal, with the party winning 206 assembly seats and securing its first-ever electoral success in the state.
Party leaders attributed the victory to a localised campaign, which used slogans such as 'Joy Ma Kali' and 'Joy Ma Durga' instead of 'Joy Shree Ram', and a focus on booth-level management.
The party's strategy also included stoking the fear of illegal immigrants, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah training his guns at the state government for not allowing the border to be fenced.
Instead of directly attacking Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the TMC-led government as 'Nirmam Sarkar', highlighting crimes against women and stoking anti-incumbency sentiment.
The party's manifesto offered 'Bhoroshar Shopoth' (oath of trust) focussing on issues of immediate concern and balancing regional aspirations.
The BJP's victory in West Bengal marks a significant shift in the party's fortunes in the state and is seen as a major boost to its hold over India's East.
