Political realignment

If you, like me, believe that Buddhadeb Bhattacharya is a gentleman (although of left suasion) and not a commie bastard, then I think one can make case of curious realignment in west Bengal, which goes something like this. As the things stand in West Bengal there is an unprecedented situation whereby Mamata Bannerji led TMC is running left to the ruling Left Front and appears to be winning, of course with help from Maobadis and Islamists. In contrast the Bengali aspiring middle class is slowly consolidating behind Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. Now since the BJP at core is a party of Hindu middle class, it makes sense, in a very strange way, for BJP to atleast tacitly support Left against TMC. This will bring dividend not only in immediate elections, but also in long term as it provides a foothold for BJP to expand its base.

Again while some people may find absence of a popular face in West Bengal BJP as a serious handicap, I think it is an advantage, in the sense that it will force BJP to discover ideas which find resonance with the people.