Ahead of the current Assembly election in Assam, signs are emerging that Bengalis in the state will play a decisive role. Bengalis make up about one-third of the state's population, making their vote crucial in many constituencies.
All political parties have used Bengalis as a vote bank, with the ruling BJP being no exception.
They have kept Bengalis in economic, social, and political pressure, and have created divisions within the community.
The BJP has also tried to limit Bengali representation by creating complexities in candidate selection and dividing Bengali-dominated areas.
However, this time, Bengali Hindus in the Brahmaputra Valley have decided to fight for their rights under a new organization, the Bharatiya Gana Parishad.
The organization has announced candidates for 21 seats, which could impact the outcome in many constituities.
The Bengali community has been subjected to harassment, especially during the National Register of Citizens (NRC) update.
Many have been left out of the NRC, and some have even been declared foreigners. The community is also facing unemployment and lack of representation in government jobs.
The BJP and Congress have been appealed to ensure Bengali representation in at least 10 seats.
The organisations supporting this demand have advisors from various backgrounds, including retired IAS and IPS officers. T
hey have made it clear that they will not be swayed by appeasement politics.
The Muslim Bengalis in the Brahmaputra Valley are divided, with some supporting AIUDF and others supporting Congress.
The Hindu Bengali organizations are mostly separate from the Muslim Bengali organizations.
In the Barak Valley, there is also discontent against the ruling party. The BJP's internal conflicts and candidate selection issues may impact their performance.
The floating votes, which are not tied to any particular party, can play a crucial role in determining the outcome. These voters may choose candidates based on their merit rather than party affiliation.
The election schedule has been announced, and the nomination process is underway. The next few days will determine the outcome of the election.
The Congress has lost some prominent leaders to the BJP, which has boosted the ruling party's morale. However, the voters will ultimately decide the fate of the parties.
The writer is a former student leader and a lawyer at the Guwahati High Court.