Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is being credited by party leaders for playing a key role in the BJP’s strong performance in tribal-dominated regions of West Bengal, particlarly in the Jungle Mahal belt. According to party sources, the BJP secured all 16 assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the state. Leaders attributed this outcome partly to a focused campaign strategy that included deploying Sai, a prominent tribal leader, in key constituencies. Sai campaigned in several areas of the Jungle Mahal region, including Jhargram, Binpur, Nayagram and Gopiballavpur. He attended nomination filings and held rallies and public meetings in support of BJP candidates, which reportedly drew significant attention during the campaign. The Jungle Mahal region, long considered politically volatile, has historically seen shifts between different parties. It was once influenced by Left parties and later became a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress after 2011.

 

Political observers often describe the region as decisive in shaping electoral outcomes in State. In constituencies where Sai campaigned, BJP candidates registered victories with notable margins. Laxmikant Sahu won from Jhargram, Amiya Kisku from Nayagram, Rajesh Mahata from Gopiballavpur and Pranat Tudu from Binpur, defeating their Trinamool Congress rivals. Party leaders claimed that Sai’s outreach helped consolidate tribal votes and created a swing in favour of the BJP in these constituencies. His direct engagement with local communities and emphasis on welfare initiatives were highlighted as factors that resonated with voters. The campaign also drew on welfare models implemented in Chhattisgarh, including schemes aimed at financial support for women, which leaders said influenced the party’s broader electoral strategy in West Bengal. The results in Jungle Mahal are being seen as a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, with the BJP making inroads into areas previously dominated by the Trinamool Congress.