After years of trying, Hindutva forces have finally breached the fortress of West Bengal. The saffron lotus appears poised to bloom where it was born but never truly took root. But what made the fortress crumble ? A preliminary analysis of the results points to five interconnected factors. Hindu consolidation The BJP’s victory can largely be attributed to a significant consolidation of Hindu voters, who make up about 70 per cent of the electorate. Given that only a small fraction of Muslims — around 30 per cent of the population — are likely to have supported the party, its current vote share of roughly 46 per cent, points to an unusually high level of Hindu consolidation, estimated at nearly 65 per cent. This is comparable to the level of Hindu consolidation that the BJP typically achieves in its traditional strongholds, such as Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. In the run-up to the elections, many felt that the TMC government was “appeasing” Muslims to the detriment of Hindus.…