West Bengal: Axis My India's Pradeep Gupta Exposes Torture by Mamata Banerjee Government After 9 Years

New Delhi: Pradeep Gupta, Chairman of the renowned survey agency Axis My India, has revealed that nine years ago, members of his team fell victim to the wrath of the then-Mamata Banerjee government. In an interview with a news agency, Gupta stated, "In 2017, (in Bengal) Axis My India personnel were imprisoned for 30 days. Subsequently, we secured their release on bail."

Gupta recounted that six of his surveyors were detained in Dum Dum Jail at the time, facing allegations that they were attempting to ask people whom they intended to vote for. The specific accusation was that if a respondent mentioned the TMC, their vote would be struck off the electoral rolls.

The MD of Axis My India further explained that they subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court, where they obtained relief. He noted, "We then filed a bail application for them in the High Court; the court subsequently directed us to continue our work." He added that several of their belongings still remain inside the jail premises.

How Were Surveyors Intimidated and Threatened?

Gupta alleged that the TMC had, at the time, misused the state machinery to intimidate and threaten his surveyors, going so far as to arrest them in certain instances. He stated, "Even during the current elections in Bengal, six of our personnel were imprisoned. They were released only after the courts issued a stern rebuke to the state government." Gupta further mentioned that, on this occasion, police stations across the entirety of West Bengal had been put on alert to "keep a watch" on Axis My India's surveyors.

Why Was There 'Atmosphere of Fear' in West Bengal?

Discussing the current elections, political analyst Pradeep Gupta observed on Wednesday that the years of "misrule" by the Trinamool Congress (TMC)—which created an "atmosphere of fear" in West Bengal—combined with the charismatic personality of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the organizational prowess of Amit Shah and the RSS, were the factors that propelled the BJP to power. Gupta, the head of 'Axis My India,' dismissed the notion that the consolidation of Hindu votes played a role in ousting Mamata Banerjee's TMC from power after 15 years in office.

Do Hindu and Muslim Issues Determine Victory or Defeat?

Applauding the Indian electorate, he stated that he considers voters—from the poorest villages to the wealthiest cities—to be mature and discerning; they are not swayed primarily by electoral promises, freebies, or religion. He emphasized that, rather than religious polarization, it is good governance that is helping the BJP establish its dominance. Gupta remarked, "Hindu and Muslim issues do not determine victory or defeat. When you attribute the BJP's victory to the consolidation of Hindu votes, you downplay the significant development and good work undertaken in those states."

Why Was No Survey Released for West Bengal This Time?

Specifically referring to Bengal, he noted that the TMC had created an atmosphere of fear—a fact that became starkly evident when his surveyors attempted to interact with people following the first phase of voting on April 23. According to Gupta, people refused to speak with the surveyors, which served as a clear indication that they had broken ranks with the TMC to cast their votes for the BJP. In the interview, he discussed a wide range of topics, spanning from the recent results of the assembly elections to the evolving mindset of the Indian voter. Gupta stated, "The stomach holds greater importance than worship, and life itself holds greater importance than the stomach." It is worth noting that Axis My India—which had accurately predicted the outcomes in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry—did not release any surveys regarding Bengal this time around.