Law, Order, Perception, and Power:Do Recent Incidents Mean TMC Cannot Win the 2026 West Bengal Election?IntroductionIn Indian democracy, events do not automatically decide elections—perceptions do.Recent developments in Beldanga, Murshidabad, where the number of arrests reportedly rose to 36 following violence, and the subsequent observation by the Calcutta High Court that central forces may be deployed if the Centre so wishesp
Law, Order, Perception, and Power: Do Recent Incidents Mean TMC Cannot Win the 2026 West Bengal Election? Introduction In Indian democracy, events do not automatically decide elections—perceptions do. Recent developments in Beldanga, Murshidabad, where the number of arrests reportedly rose to 36 following violence, and the subsequent observation by the Calcutta High Court that central forces may be deployed if the Centre so wishes, have triggered intense political debate. At the same time, a communal clash in Assam, reportedly arising from a road accident between two communities, did not invite similar judicial or national political pressure. This contrast has led to a growing public narrative: “If Assam faces no questions, but Bengal does, then the TMC government must be failing—and therefore cannot win in 2026.” But is this conclusion factually sound, politically logical, or merely emotionally persuasive? This blog attempts a calm, evidence-based analysis, separating law ...