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Congress to Go Solo in 2026 Bengal Polls, BJP Ramps Up Preparations

The Indian National Congress has declared it will contest all 294 seats independently in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with state in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir confirming the national leadership's backing for the solo run. This sets the stage for a three-cornered contest against the ruling Trinamool Congress and a resurgent BJP. Concurrently, the BJP is intensifying its preparations, with National President Nitin Nabin holding a lengthy strategic meeting with the party's West Bengal MPs. The BJP has also appointed in-charges for all assembly constituencies and formed a State Sankalp Patra Committee to formalize its election agenda.

Key Points: Congress to Contest All 294 Seats in West Bengal 2026 Elections

  • Congress rejects alliance
  • BJP holds strategic MP meeting
  • High-stakes three-way contest
  • BJP appoints constituency in-charges
3 min read

Congress to contest all 294 seats in West Bengal assembly polls: Ghulam Ahmad Mir

Congress confirms solo run for West Bengal assembly polls as BJP holds strategic meetings. Key leaders outline strategies for the high-stakes 2026 battle.

"This time we will contest the elections in West Bengal alone. - Ghulam Ahmad Mir"

New Delhi, February 5

The Indian National Congress on Thursday confirmed that it will contest all 294 Assembly seats in the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and not enter into an alliance with the Left front.

Speaking after a Congress meeting on the elections, West Bengal Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir said, "A meeting was held today and everyone was present in it. The topic was what the party leaders think about the upcoming elections in West Bengal, how to move forward. All leaders gave their opinions...everyone's views were heard...The leadership's view was that this time we will contest the elections in West Bengal alone."

Mir further emphasised that the decision to contest independently was backed by the national leadership, adding, "This time in West Bengal, our workers and cadre want that we should contest alone on 294 seats in the state. The national leadership stands with the decision made by the state leadership."

The Congress move comes amid a high-stakes political battle in West Bengal, where the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is expected to face stiff competition from both Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In parallel, the BJP has been consolidating its preparations for the elections. Party National President Nitin Nabin held a strategic meeting with West Bengal MPs at Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar's residence in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss organisational matters and constituency-specific concerns.

After the meeting, BJP MP Raju Bista said that Nitin Nabin lent his guidance to the MPs and discussed their issues.

"All our MPs from West Bengal, from Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and first-time MPs as well. We had the opportunity to spend more than two hours with the National President to discuss our concerns. This was purely an organisational meeting, and it was our first time meeting with him, so we received many suggestions and a lot of guidance. That's why I consider the Bharatiya Janata Party different from other parties. We met with the National President in a family-like atmosphere, and all the MPs presented their respective issues," Raju Bista told reporters.

Earlier last month, BJP West Bengal State President Samik Bhattacharya appointed in-charges for the respective assembly constituencies for the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections. Bhattacharya announced the Assembly in-charges on all 294 seats.

The BJP has appointed Manash Ray as the in-charge for the Nandigram seat, where Suvendu Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly polls. The party appointed Debasish Dey in Siliguri, Binod Moktan in Darjeeling, Sujit Kr Das in Malda, Kaberi Chatterjee in Asansol Dakshin, Dayamoy Chakraborty in Asansol Uttar and Asish Travedi on Kolkata Port seat.

On January 24, the BJP announced the State Sankalp Patra Committee comprising 11 members, with party leader Tapas Roy serving as the Chairman.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally! Congress showing some spine. Always playing second fiddle in alliances hasn't helped them. Time to rebuild the party from the ground up in Bengal. Best of luck to the karyakartas! 🙏
R
Rohit P
The real story is the BJP's meticulous preparation. Appointing in-charges for all 294 seats already? They are not taking anything for granted. Congress announcement feels reactive, BJP's moves look planned.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, this seems like political fragmentation. With three major parties fighting separately, will any get a clear mandate? Bengal needs stable governance, not perpetual hung assemblies.
M
Meera T
Ghulam Ahmad Mir sahab is right to listen to the workers. The cadre on the ground knows the pulse. If they want to go alone, they must have their reasons. Let's see if they can revive the old Congress vote bank.
D
David E
Interesting political calculus. This decision essentially makes the BJP the primary challenger to TMC by default. Congress might end up with a handful of seats but could spoil the game for others in many constituencies.

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