The “Bulldozer” narrative took center stage in West Bengal’s electoral battle on Tuesday as Raju Patra, the BJP candidate from Galsi, arrived to file his nomination papers mounted on a bulldozer. Symbolizing the party’s promise to establish the “rule of law,” Patra traveled from Galsi to Burdwan town on the heavy machinery, drawing massive crowds and sparking intense political debate. However, election officials intervened and asked him to dismount before reaching the nomination center.

Defending his action, Raju Patra stated, “We are here to give an advance warning that the ‘Gunda Raj’ in the state will end in 2026 when BJP establishes its government.” Dismissing the stunt, TMC MP June Malia, campaigning for party candidate Khokon Das, retorted, “The candidate has realized that the people of Bengal will use a metaphorical bulldozer on May 4 to uproot Modi, Shah, and the entire BJP from the state.”

The Galsi seat remains a high-stakes zone. While the BJP led here in the 2019 General Elections, the TMC regained control in the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls with nearly 48% of the vote share. With the BJP’s vote share currently hovering around 39%, Patra’s bulldozer-themed campaign is seen as a desperate attempt to bridge the gap and sway voters with a strong-arm leadership image.