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Can CPI(M) Break Trinamool's Grip on Kolkata Port After 13-Year Dominance?

The Kolkata Port assembly constituency has been a Trinamool Congress stronghold since 2011, with Minister Firhad Hakim winning decisively in all three elections. Historically, power in this dock area shifted between CPI(M) and Congress, influenced by local mafias with flexible political loyalties. This election, Hakim faces CPI(M)'s Faiyaz Khan amid two major issues: a deadly building collapse blamed on illegal constructions and large-scale voter deletions from the electoral roll. While Trinamool appears ahead, these factors could challenge its previously one-sided victories.

Key Points: Kolkata Port Election: CPI(M) vs Trinamool in Key Bengal Battle

  • Trinamool's 13-year dominance
  • Dock mafia's shifting alliances
  • Building collapse tragedy
  • Massive voter list deletions
  • CPI(M) banking on minority support
2 min read

Constituency watch: Can CPI(M) defeat Trinamool in Kolkata Port stronghold

Analysis of Kolkata Port constituency where Trinamool's Firhad Hakim faces CPI(M)'s Faiyaz Khan. Can building collapse & voter deletions change the result?

"Since 2011, political allegiance has become constant, and election results have been virtually one-sided in Kolkata Port. - Political Observer"

Kolkata, March 21

Since 2011, when the erstwhile minority-dominated Garden Reach assembly constituency in the southern outskirts of Kolkata was renamed Kolkata Port, voting has been one-sided in favour of the Trinamool Congress.​

In all three assembly elections since 2011, West Bengal Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad (Bobby) Hakim has won from the constituency with heavy margins, securing over 50 per cent of the vote share each time.​

Traditionally, whether in the current Kolkata Port or the erstwhile Garden Reach, dock mafias and their musclemen determined voting trends to a great extent. ​

Before 2011, during the Garden Reach phase, power frequently shifted between CPI(M) and Congress, even during the 34-year-long Left Front regime.​

Veteran political observers note that between 1952 and 2011, the dock mafias never had fixed political alliances. Their affiliations shifted from election to election depending on ground-level requirements, resulting in frequent changes of power. ​

"Since 2011, political allegiance has become constant, and election results have been virtually one-sided in Kolkata Port," said a city-based political observer.

​As per the present ground scenario, Hakim, the Trinamool candidate again this time, is ahead of his opponents, with all eight councillors of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) in the constituency belonging to the ruling party.​

The real contest, however, is between Trinamool and CPI(M). The BJP, which has yet to announce its candidate, is effectively out of the race. CPI(M) has fielded its former councillor, Faiyaz Khan, who continues to enjoy popularity among a substantial section of voters in this minority-dominated constituency.​

Two factors could inconvenience Hakim and the Trinamool this time.​

The first is the collapse of an under-construction building in the locality on the night of March 17, 2024, which killed nine persons, including two women, all from the Muslim community. CPI(M) candidate Khan has highlighted this tragedy against Hakim. ​

Hakim and some of his councillors faced criticism for allegedly encouraging mushrooming illegal constructions in violation of building rules, turning the area into a "death trap."​

The second factor is the deletion of a large percentage of voters in Kolkata Port in the final voters' list published on February 28, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. ​

The constituency has already witnessed 22.3 per cent deletions, with many more names under judicial adjudication after being categorised under "logical discrepancy."​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's sad to see how "dock mafias" have historically influenced voting. When will we have elections based on development and governance, not muscle power? Hope the voters this time prioritize their safety and future over old loyalties.
F
Faiyaz Khan
As a former councillor from this area, I can say the people are angry. The collapse was preventable. For over a decade, there has been no real opposition to question the ruling party. This time, we are raising the real issues of illegal construction and voter list deletions. The fight is tough but necessary.
S
Sarah B
The article mentions 22.3% voter deletions? That's an incredibly high number. If true, it raises serious questions about the electoral process itself. How can a democracy function if such a large chunk of the electorate is suddenly removed from the rolls?
R
Rohit P
While I respect Firhad Hakim's long tenure, complacency sets in after so many wins. The CPI(M) candidate seems to have a genuine connect. A strong opposition is healthy for any constituency. Maybe a close fight will make all parties work harder for the people. 🤞
K
Kavya N
It's interesting to see the historical shift from frequent power changes to one-sided wins. The constant allegiance since 2011 suggests a very strong organizational machinery on the ground. Breaking that will be the CPI(M)'s biggest challenge, beyond just the current issues.

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