Lyari of Bengal: Why all focus is on Abhishek Banerjee's Diamond Harbour bastion

Diamond Harbour, the bastion of Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek, voted under unusually heavy security on Wednesday. Not only central forces but also anti-terror NIA sleuths were stationed. It explains the importance of Diamond Harbour, which the BJP has dubbed the Lyari of Bengal.

In Short

• NIA and central forces turn Diamond Harbour into fortress
• BJP shares visuals alleging its lotus symbol was taped in booths
• Diamond Harbour is stronghold of Mamata's nephew Abhishek

As Bengal voted in the second phase of polls on Wednesday, an unusual sight greeted the voters of Diamond Harbour - the bastion of Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew (fondly known as bhaipo) of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Sleuths of the anti-terror NIA, CRPF, and CISF were seen patrolling the streets of Diamond Harbour. Uttar Pradesh's 'Singham' Ajay Pal Sharma, an encounter specialist, has also been stationed. The sheer scale of security has turned the spotlight on the parliamentary constituency that has a history of poll violence and faced allegations of booth capturing and rigging.

On Wednesday too, Diamond Harbour hit the headlines after the BJP alleged that its symbol was found taped in EVMs at several polling booths in Falta. Visuals shared by BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya purportedly showed a tape on the BJP's lotus symbol in an EVM.

"In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape... This is the so-called 'Diamond Harbour Model', the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek secure his Lok Sabha seat," Malviya tweeted, claiming that several booths were compromised. The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, denied the charge.

The Election Commission eventually stepped in, ordering repolling in all booths where EVMs were found taped. Repolling could be held across the whole constituency if more such incidents emerged, the ECI warned.

Now, why is Diamond Harbour so important for the TMC?

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIAMOND HARBOUR

Diamond Harbour, a port city, has risen in Bengal's political map in the last decade. Its rise has been intertwined with the rapid strides made by its three-time MP Abhishek Banerjee in Trinamool. From a political greenhorn in 2014 to Trinamool's No. 2, Abhishek's stature has seen phenomenal growth in Bengal politics.

Falta is among the seven assembly segments in Diamond Harbour, which falls under the South 24 Parganas district. Diamond Harbour, which borders Bangladesh, has been at the centre of the BJP's allegations that the TMC allows unchecked infiltration to strengthen its "vote bank".

Both the BJP and the Congress-Left alliance have repeatedly alleged that Diamond Harbour has become a hub for illegal activities and cross-border smuggling. The opposition has alleged that the money from these illegal activities ends up funding the TMC.

Until a few years ago, Diamond Harbour and Canning were notorious hubs of human trafficking as well.

"TMC is getting very touchy about Diamond Harbour... DG of CAPFs are camping there too," a political expert, whose posts via the handle Sniper, tweeted.

Replying to it, a BJP karyakarta said, "Lyari of TMC is Diamond Harbour! Because of Diamond Harbour's proximity to the Sunderbans and the Bangladesh border, fuel infiltration."

Lyari, the Karachi town that has gained infamy after being portrayed in Dhurandhar, is known for its gang wars and criminal networks.

Previously, opposition leaders have pointed out the fear and intimidation at play in Diamond Harbour, according to a report in The Wire. They have cited the police's readiness to file cases against opposition leaders and workers, especially before polls.

"Diamond Harbour has long been notorious as a hub of criminal activity and an epicentre of electoral malpractice," BJP's Malviya said.

The high number of votes TMC has won in Diamond Harbour over the last 10 years has also been discussed in hushed tones among opposition leaders.

Here's the data for you. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Abhishek Banerjee won by a margin of 3.2 lakh votes. The gap widened to 7.1 lakh votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In the last panchayat elections, the Trinamool won most of the blocks uncontested.

ABHISHEK BANERJEE'S BASTION

However, the Trinamool has dismissed the allegations. The party has, instead, said the higher margins reflect the people's love for Abhishek and the work done by him in Diamond Harbour. The 'Diamond Harbour' model - a mix of welfare schemes and development of health infrastructure - has been frequently cited by the TMC to counter the opposition's anti-development narrative.

It was Abhishek's hands-on approach in Diamond Harbour during the Covid-19 pandemic that grabbed attention. His supporters ran community kitchens in each block of the area and also supplied free food packets.

In 2022, the Lok Sabha MP launched 'Ek Dakey Abhishek' - where people of the constituency could dial a toll-free number to reach out to his office with their issues.

However, the scheme for which Abhishek received the maximum praise was Shrodhyargho (tribute). Under it, thousands of TMC workers voluntarily contributed funds towards giving a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to around 70,000 senior citizens in the constituency.

The opposition, however, has equated the 'Diamond Harbour model' with TMC's "reign of terror". Leaders have claimed a climate of threat and intimidation persists in Diamond Harbour's underbelly. Will winds of change blow in the "Lyari" of Bengal? All eyes are now on May 4.

- Ends