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BJP Fields Suvendu in Mamata's Seat, Releases 144 Names for Bengal 2026 Polls

The BJP has released its first list of 144 candidates for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, setting up a direct clash by fielding Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Bhabanipur constituency. The election will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. Other notable candidates include BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul from Asansol Dakshin and actor-politician Rudranil Ghosh from Shibpur. The state has over 6.4 crore registered electors, including a significant number of young and senior citizen voters.

Key Points: BJP's 144 Candidates for Bengal 2026: Suvendu vs Mamata in Bhabanipur

  • Suvendu to contest Mamata's seat
  • 144 candidates in BJP's first list
  • Two-phase polls on April 23 & 29
  • Key contests in Nandigram and Asansol
2 min read

BJP releases 1st list of 144 candidates for Bengal Assembly 2026 polls; Suvendu fielded in Mamata's Bhabanipur constituency

BJP's first list pits Suvendu Adhikari against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. See key candidates, poll dates, and voter demographics for the high-stakes Bengal election.

"Suvendu Adhikari will contest from... Bhabanipur, the constituency currently represented by the TMC chief - BJP Candidate List"

New Delhi, March 16

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari will contest from Nandigram, where he defeated Mamata Banerjee in 2021, and from Bhabanipur, the constituency currently represented by the TMC chief, as per the first list of 144 candidates released by the Bhartiya Janata Party on Monday for the upcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections.

Polling in the State is set to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the counting of votes for both phases will be conducted on May 4, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul will contest from Asansol Dakshin, actor-turned-politician Rudranil Ghosh is set to run from Shibpur, and BJP MLA Bankim Chandra Ghosh will contest from Chakdaha.

West Bengal has 294 Assembly seats, and the party is expected to announce the remaining candidates soon.

As per the ECI, the first phase covering 152 Assembly constituencies will begin with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30, 2026. The last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9. Polling for the first phase will be held on April 23.

For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. Voting for this phase is scheduled for April 29.

West Bengal has a total of 6,45,61,152 electors as per the Election Commission of India, including 6,44,52,609 general electors and 1,08,543 service voters. The state has 5,23,229 young electors aged 18-19 years.

The electoral rolls also list 4,16,089 electors marked as Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 1,152 electors identified as third gender, and 3,78,979 senior citizens aged 85 and above.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I hope this election focuses on real issues - development, jobs, and women's safety. The constant political drama is exhausting for us common people. Let the best candidate win based on work, not just rhetoric.
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Rohit P
Good to see a mix of experienced MLAs and fresh faces like Rudranil Ghosh. Bengal needs change. The current government has failed on many fronts, especially in creating employment for the youth.
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Sarah B
Interesting strategy. Fielding Suvendu from Bhabanipur is clearly symbolic. But I respectfully disagree with this aggressive approach. Politics should be about serving people, not personal vendettas or one-upmanship.
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Vikram M
The detailed voter breakdown is impressive - over 5 lakh young voters and special provisions for PwD and senior citizens. Democracy at work! Hope all parties focus on these groups in their manifestos.
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Meera T
As a Bengali, I just want peace and prosperity for my state. The last elections were too violent. Hope EC ensures a free and fair poll this time. Jai Hind!

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