Kolkata | March 17,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
Bengal Elections 2026:
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday unveiled its list of 291 candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, setting the stage for a high-voltage political showdown. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will once again contest from the Bhabanipur constituency in south Kolkata, where she is expected to face BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
The elections, scheduled in two phases in April, will determine the composition of the 294-member Assembly and are being closely watched nationwide due to the intense rivalry between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Table of Contents
High-Stakes Battle in Bhabanipur
Bhabanipur is poised to become the focal point of the election, with Mamata Banerjee taking on Suvendu Adhikari for the second time in a major electoral contest. Adhikari, who defeated Banerjee in Nandigram during the 2021 Assembly elections, has been fielded by the BJP from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur this time.
Following her defeat in Nandigram in 2021, Banerjee secured her Chief Minister position by winning the Bhabanipur by-election, making the constituency symbolically crucial for her political standing.
TMC’s Strategy and Alliances
The TMC has decided to contest 291 out of the 294 seats, leaving three constituencies—Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong—for its ally, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), led by Anit Thapa.
In a strategic move, the party has fielded Pabitra Kar, a former BJP leader and close associate of Adhikari, from Nandigram. Kar joined the TMC just hours before the candidate list was announced, signaling a tactical shift aimed at countering BJP’s influence in the region.
BJP’s Counter and Political Landscape
Earlier this week, the BJP released its first list of 144 candidates, indicating a strong push to expand its footprint in the state. The party’s decision to field Adhikari from two constituencies underscores its aggressive approach to challenging the TMC leadership.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC secured a decisive victory with 215 seats, while the BJP won 77. The Congress and the CPI(M)-led Left Front failed to win any seats, although the All India Secular Front (AISF) managed to secure one.
This time, however, the Congress and Left Front are contesting separately, potentially reshaping the electoral dynamics.
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Mamata’s Strong Message to Centre
Addressing party members and the public, Mamata Banerjee expressed confidence in a stronger mandate this time, predicting that the TMC would win at least 226 seats.
She also took a direct swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Centre of hurting Bengal’s sentiments. “If you had faith in the people of West Bengal, why hurt their sentiments? The people will respond through their votes,” she said.
What Lies Ahead
With both major parties gearing up for an intense electoral battle, the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections promise to be a crucial contest shaping the state’s political future. The Bhabanipur face-off, in particular, is expected to draw national attention as two of Bengal’s most prominent leaders go head-to-head once again.
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