The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its first list of candidates for 144 seats in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, fielding several key leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh.
Dilip Ghosh will contest from Kharagpur Sadar, while Suvendu Adhikari will contest from two seats, Bhabanipur and Nandigram. The move sets up a likely high-profile face-off between Adhikari and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as Bhabanipur is currently represented by her.
Notably, in the 2021 Assembly elections, Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram. Other prominent candidates include BJP leader Agnimitra Paul from Asansol South and former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta from Rashbehari constituency.
Poll Schedule and Counting
The announcement comes a day after the Election Commission declared that the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
While announcing the poll schedule for four states and one Union Territory, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that reducing the number of phases was necessary to make elections convenient for everyone.
The counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 will take place on May 4, along with the elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu.
Political Backdrop and Stakes
The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections are shaping up to be a high-stakes contest, with 294 seats up for grabs. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to expand its foothold in the state.
In the 2021 elections, TMC won 215 seats, while the BJP became the official opposition with 77 seats. This year, the contest is expected to be closely fought, with several high-profile battles, including Suvendu Adhikari’s challenge to Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.
Both parties are focusing on targeted campaigning, with the BJP fielding prominent leaders such as Suvendu Adhikari, Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, and Swapan Dasgupta, while TMC looks to consolidate its strongholds across the state. The voter turnout, local issues, and high-profile constituencies to play a crucial role in determining the election outcome.