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Mamata vs Suvendu Rematch in Bhabanipur as TMC Unveils Bengal Poll List

The Trinamool Congress has released its candidate list for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, featuring Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee contesting again from the Bhabanipur constituency. She is set for a direct electoral rematch against BJP's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, who will also contest from his seat in Nandigram. The TMC has allotted three hill constituencies to its ally, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, led by Anit Thapa. Banerjee expressed confidence in winning over 226 seats and issued a cautionary message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Bengal's sentiments.

Key Points: TMC Candidates List: Mamata to Contest from Bhabanipur in 2026

  • Mamata to contest from Bhabanipur again
  • Direct rematch with Suvendu Adhikari
  • TMC spares 3 hill seats for ally BGPM
  • BJP names Adhikari from Nandigram & Bhabanipur
2 min read

Bengal 2026 polls: Trinamool announces candidates list, Mamata to contest from Bhabanipur

TMC releases 291-candidate list for Bengal polls, sets up Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari rematch in Bhabanipur. BJP names Adhikari from Nandigram too.

"This time our candidates will win from at least 226 Assembly constituencies. - Mamata Banerjee"

Kolkata, March 17

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday released its list of candidates, containing 291 names, for the two-phase April elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly and set the scene for a "battle royale" in Bhabanipur constituency in south Kolkata, from where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest again.

As per the candidates' list released by Banerjee, she will be contesting from Bhabanipur this time as well, where she will face the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.

On Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its first list of 144 candidates and nominated Adhikari from his current constituency of Nandigram in East Midnapore district, as well as from Bhabanipur.

This is the second time that Banerjee will be pitted against Adhikari.

Adhikari was elected as a legislator from Nandigram for the second consecutive time in 2021, defeating Banerjee.

Later, Banerjee was elected from Bhabanipur in a by-election and retained the post of Chief Minister for the third consecutive term.

While the Trinamool will be contesting from 291 constituencies, they have spared three assembly constituencies in the North Bengal hills, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, for their political ally in the hills, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), founded by Anit Thapa, who is also the Chief Executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

At Nandigram, Trinamool fielded erstwhile local BJP leader and also a close confidant of Adhikari, Pabitra Kar, who joined the party just a couple of hours before the Chief Minister released the party candidate's list.

"This time our candidates will win from at least 226 Assembly constituencies. After the elections, this type of BJP will have no ground in West Bengal," Banerjee said.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Trinamool won 215 seats, while the BJP secured 77 seats. The CPI-M-led Left Front and the All India Secular Front (AISF) had a seat-sharing arrangement in 2021. While AISF managed to win one seat, both the Left Front and the Congress failed to win any seats at all.

This time, the Congress and the Left Front are contesting the elections separately.

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister also gave a note of caution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I would like to ask the Prime Minister, if you had faith in the people of West Bengal, why he was hurting Bengal's sentiments. Remember, the people will retaliate in the elections!" she said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting strategy by TMC, fielding Adhikari's own confidant in Nandigram. Shows how fluid politics can be. But honestly, as a citizen, I just want whichever government delivers on development and jobs.
A
Aman W
The alliance with BGPM in the hills is a smart move. Stability in Darjeeling region is crucial for tourism and the tea industry. Hope this brings some peace there.
S
Sarah B
Watching from outside India, the political drama in Bengal is fascinating. But the claim that BJP will have "no ground" seems like a huge exaggeration. The 2021 results showed they have significant support.
V
Vikram M
With Left and Congress contesting separately, the anti-TMC vote might get split again, just like last time. BJP might benefit. Mamata Didi's confidence is high, but the ground reality can be different. Let's see!
K
Kavya N
As a Bengali, I wish the discourse was more about policies for women's safety, education, and healthcare, and less about these personal battles and "sentiments". That's what we really vote for.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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