In Bengal, 'paara' (neighbourhood) serves as the primary political unit for leadership engagement. Securing electoral victory requires paara-level support, which parties maintain through state-backed protection, resource distribution and dispute mediation.

Addressing a rally in Kolkata on Tuesday, TMC leader and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP is trying to split the TMC. | India News

As the TMC faces internal rifts and a potential split post-defeat, West Bengal's Left and Congress parties eye an opportunity to reclaim opposition space. The BJP's strategy in…