In battle between Didi and Modi, "expiry PM" wins round one in Bengal

The 2019 parliamentary elections saw a fierce war being waged in Bengal between Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The former was intent on bettering the party's tally of 34 Lok Sabha seats, while the latter- whom Mamata would refer as "Expiry PM"- had challenged himself with colouring the state saffron.

Banerjee had single-handedly dismantled the Left citadel--which ruled West Bengal for 34 years--in 2011, ensuring her name in history books. Known for her shrill brand of politics, she had challenged the BJP this time to win a single of the state's 42 seats.

But she probably was not aware of the mechanics of Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, who left nothing to chance in their quest to haul a bagful of constituencies.

As the prolonged and vituperative campaigning progressed, people were treated to terms like "speed breaker Didi"-- Modi's reference to Mamata. She, no less a fighter herself, shot back "expiry Babu". The prime minister felt that Didi was acting as a speed breaker to the Centre's various schemes for the state, hence the moniker.

Mamata refused to accept Modi as the prime minister--hence "expiry Babu". Things took such a turn that in the aftermath of cyclone Fani she did not respond to the PM's phone calls, saying his days were numbered and she would rather talk to the new premier soon to take charge in Delhi.

The Modi-Mamata vitriol perhaps has its genesis in the January 19 meeting of major opposition parties of the country that the Trinamool chief organised at the Brigade Parade Ground here, where she sounded the bugle against the saffron outfit. Many saw in it her latent desire to acquire the top post in Lutyens Delhi.

At several election rallies Banerjee even said that Modi would get "a tight slap of democracy". She also 'predicted' that the BJP will draw a blank in Bengal.

However, fate seems to have played a cruel joke on Didi. The Modi-Shah magic was working true to its script. They left nothing to chance and addressed a huge number of rallies across the length and breadth of this vast state.

With final results out, its advantage BJP which garnered 18 seats, a huge leap from mere two in 2014.

The Trinamool Congress has to remain content with 22, a big slump from 34 in 2014. The two remaining seats have been bagged by the Congress, a party reduced to insignificance.

With the BJP well entrenched and the assembly elections slated for 2021, Banerjee will have to use all her arsenals to be in reckoning.