LS results in Khowai: BJP succeeded in decimating CPM in it’s once a red bastion 

Out of all the results in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, BJP’s spectacular results in Khowai district under the East Lok Sabha seat against the CPM stand apart for two reasons. 
First all the three Teliamura, Kalyanpur and Khowai subdivisions had once been the areas considered CPM’s red bastion. In fact, it is from this region that the communist movements in the 1940s began. 
Second, it is these two subdivisions that once witnessed the worst of communal riots and massacres committed by the militants.
But, as the results reflect, the worst affected of these genocides-the Bengalis (and also the ST voters) reposed their faith on the BJP candidate Kriti Singh who was floated by TIPRA Motha –the party which till recently was carrying out strong anti-Bengali tirades fomenting the tribal sentiments against the Bengalis calling all of them outsiders and Bangladeshis. 
In view of the TIPRA Motha’s strong anti-Bengali overtures, mostly by Kriti Singh’s brother and TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, many of the political observers were at the initial stage of the view that a considerable Bengali votes this time would not go for BJP which allied with an anti-Bengali force -the TIPRA Motha. 
On the other hand, many of the TIPRA Motha leaders and supporters also appeared seriously disappointed as Pradyot Kishore brought his sister as a candidate from outside ignoring the local leaders and intellectuals. They felt it was a betrayal. 
The mood and situation were not really favourable for BJP-TIPRA Motha, and many felt that a considerable section of the voters from both the Bengalis and indigenous communities might either vote for CPM, or even opt for NOTA. They felt that although it was almost certain the Kriti Singh would ultimately come out victorious but her margin would be less in these regions.
But, as the elections neared the field reports reached here indicated there were some hints of change in the mood of the Bengali as well as TIPRA Motha electors. And for this, almost all gave credit to BJP MLA Kalyani Roy, presently Chief Whip of the party in the assembly. 
Roy had always been known as highly active a party functionary who preferred to be always on the move engaging her in various political activities and reach-out programmes. But this time during the poll campaign she seemed to have been on high gear with a fast, furious campaign trail ensuring the victory of Kriti Singh, who herself was not there to be seen –mostly. With her formidable campaign Roy, indeed, succeeded in managing and bringing the wind to BJP’s sail. 
“It is true that there were some hesitations at the beginning among the Bengali voters, especially when former ATTF leader Ranjit Debbarma, presently an MLA, was seen. It is because the entire Khowai, Kalyanpur and Teliamura witnessed massacres like Bazar Colony, Purba Gonki, Baralunga , Kamalnagar, and in many more places by the ATTF. This also gave some hope for the CPM.   But Kalyani Roy , evidently aware of the Bengali sentiment took no chance, and supported by other BJP leaders, campaigned round the corner. And she was successful”, pointed out a field reporter from the region. 
The reporter had a ready result at hand.  CPM bit the dust miserably.
There are six assembly constituencies – Kalyanpur- Promodenagar, Teliamura, Krishnapur (Teliamura Subdivision ) Khowai, RC Ghat and Asharambari ( Khowai subdivision).  In all the constituencies TIPRA Motha fielded BJP candidate Kriti Singh came out victorious with huge margins (in Kalyanpur BJP led by 25,557 votes, in Teliamura 21, 382 votes, in Krishnapur 18, 546 votes, in RC Ghat 22, 723 votes,  in Khowai 19, 730 votes, in Asharambari 19,403 votes).
 While it is true that some of these constituencies had strong TIPRA Motha and BJP supporters at present sending their MLAs to the assembly, one has to keep in mind that these assembly constituencies were once virtually unbeatable Communist forte from where most of the CPM veterans emerged, including Dasarath Deb, Nripen Chakrabarty, Bidya Debbarma et al. Yet, notwithstanding the past history, and sentiments of the Bengalis, the result showed in the entire Khowai subdivision the BJP led by a huge 1,09,770 votes.  This was in a sense unexpected.
Now, as the situation stands CPM has largely decimated a force in their once stronghold and if Roy and other party leaders succeed in keeping the rein tight, and if Bikash Debbarma , MLA, manages the internal bickering in his constituency, then in the ensuing Panchayat polls the prospect of the CPM looks bleak.