The BJP may well have shot itself in the foot in Bengal, courtesy a pliant Election Commission. The EC played into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s hands with its openly partisan decision to curtail the campaign for the final phase in the state by a day, but only after Narendra Modi completes his scheduled rallies.

Mamata has been on a roll since. She’s invoked Bengali pride. She’s lashed out at Narendra Modi and Amit Shah in the strongest possible language, getting downright personal with both. And she’s masterfully played the victim card, positioning herself as David fighting not one, but two Goliaths.

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