The Congress party has stepped into the West Bengal Assembly elections with renewed intent, choosing to contest independently across all 294 constituencies for the first time in nearly two decades. The Bengal Pradesh Congress leadership is positioning this as a decisive electoral battle, backed by a strong lineup of national and state leaders.

After 20 years of alliances, the Indian National Congress has opted to fight the 2026 Assembly elections on its own in West Bengal. Senior leaders including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Subhankar Sarkar, Mausam Benazir Noor, and Nepal Mahato have themselves entered the electoral fray, signaling a more aggressive approach on the ground.

To bolster its campaign, top national figures such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to campaign in the state, along with other senior leaders including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh.

Star campaigners list unveiled

On Monday evening, the party released a list of 40 “star campaigners” who will lead its outreach efforts during the first phase of polling, scheduled for April 23, 2026. The list includes prominent names such as Adhir Chowdhury, Shashi Tharoor, Salman Khurshid, and Deepa Dasmunsi.

In a formal communication to the Election Commission, the party stated that the campaign would be conducted in accordance with Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, with senior leaders actively participating across constituencies.

A party leader said the strategy aims to maintain relevance in the state’s political landscape by deploying experienced leaders and ensuring a strong presence in every constituency.

Manifesto launch and nomination rally

The Congress is set to release its election manifesto on Tuesday in the presence of Mallikarjun Kharge, state president Subhankar Sarkar, and party observers Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Pradip Bhattacharya.

On the same day, several party candidates will file their nomination papers. A rally is scheduled to begin at 12 PM from Hazra Crossing near Ashutosh College in Kolkata. Candidates including Ashutosh Chattopadhyay, Rohan Mitra, Zeeshan Ahmed, Akib Gulzar, and Kashif Reza are expected to participate, along with senior leaders such as Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Shubhankur Sarkar, B.K. Hariprasad, Uday Bhanu Chib, and Brijendra Pratap Singh.

Focus on development politics

State Congress President Subhankar Sarkar emphasised that the party’s campaign would focus on development and inclusive governance rather than divisive politics. He stated that Congress candidates represent a wide cross-section of society and are committed to upholding democratic values, freedom of expression, and constitutional principles.

He added that the party aims to ensure equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and employment, while fostering a peaceful and secure environment for citizens. The leadership expressed confidence that a strong grassroots campaign combined with national support would help the party make a significant impact in the upcoming elections.

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