Although she took the party to winning shores, Mamatha Banerjee could not win as an MLA from Nandigram constituency in the recently held general election battle in West Bengal. The tough rival Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamatha in a neck and neck fight.
Though she was sworn in as a CM, she has to be elected as an MLA/MLC within six months after the formation of the new government to retain her post. Mamatha is now planning to contest from Bhavanipur where she was elected as an MLA in 2016's general polls.
But then, inside talk is that the BJP high command at the centre wants to conduct no by-poll elections in near future. And they have a solid reasons to avert the polls. Since covid pushed to next year. In such a case, Mamatha will have to lose her CM post and should leave it for another MLA of her party. Unneeded to say, even if the elections are scheduled before six months, the BJP will join al its forces to defeat Mamatha in the by-elections.
It might be thought that Mamatha could become an MLC without contesting the elections. However, there is no legislative council in Bengal. Even if it is revived, it takes a minimum of two years. In either case, Mamatha will have to lose her CM post after six months. Let's see if Mamatha scripts any new strategy to get herself bailed out of the situation.