Sandeshkhali To Panihati: How The 'Victim-To-Victory' Strategy Flipped Bengal’s Women Vote For BJP

The Bharatiya Janta Party won the 2026 Bengal elections not just by highlighting "ideological bias" but also by signifying the atrocities against the women of the state. The saffron party recognised the recent cases involving women's safety which had gained national attention. The BJP wryly used it as a "trump card" to dismantle the Trinamool Congress (TMC) stronghold.

The NDA-led party did not just promise change in the society but made some major modifications to attract the female voters in the state. The party knew that winning Bengal required more than just big claims; it needed conclusive action.

As part of the strategy, the BJP gave tickets to the women who were allegedly faced oppression from the TMC government. First in the list was Rekha Patra, who contested and won from the Hingalganj Assembly.

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Patra came to the limelight after raising her voice against the alleged incidents of violence, harassment, and land-related disputes in Sandeshkhali. The Bengal people were disturbed by the Mamata-led government and its prolonged apathy towards its residents. In such a condition, someone like Patra,  who is deeply involved in grassroots activism, showered hope among the voters.

The second major step taken towards the victory was the contest of RG Kar, rape victim's mother, Ratna Debnath, from the Panihati constituency. Debnath, for several months, sought justice from the TMC government; however, her pleadings remained unheard. Debnath's campaign focused on issues of women's safety and accountability in governance. The voters already enraged and hopeless were convinced about Debnath's approach.

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Another significant female candidate was Kalita Majhi, a mere domestic worker, who rose to power. It is important to note that a domestic worker fighting the elections made people more empathetic. The Guskara Municipality resident gained popularity due to her grassroots background and impressive local connections.

Also, the women voters no longer viewed the TMC's schemes as "gifts"; they considered them "basic entitlement." This weakened the sense of electoral loyalty to the TMC, allowing women to accept the benefit while voting for a change in governance.

Additionally, the BJP significantly bypassed the TMC in the "dole politics" arena. While Mamata Banerjee increased the Lakshmir Bhandar stipend to Rs 1,500–Rs 1,700, the BJP’s 'Annapurna' scheme promise of Rs 3,000 per month created a massive financial incentive. It chipped away at the TMC’s core female base by nearly doubling the proposed assistance.