The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has announced its candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, revealing a total of 291 names. The electoral process is set to occur in two phases, with polling scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4. During a press conference, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee confirmed the allocation of three constituencies to their ally, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), for which Anit Thapa’s party will contest Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong.

Mamata Banerjee to Contest from Bhabanipur

Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Chief Minister, will contest the elections from Bhabanipur, facing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Opposition Leader in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. The TMC has nominated various prominent figures including Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya from Dum Dum Uttar, MLA Madan Mitra from Kamarhati, Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim from Kolkata Port, Kunal Ghosh from Beleghata, and Dr. Shashi Panja from Shyampukur. Notably, former Education Minister Parth Chatterjee will not contest from Behala Paschim this election; Ratna Chatterjee will represent the party instead.

Strategic Moves and Political Dynamics

In her address, Banerjee detailed her party’s approach to candidate selection, emphasizing that TMC will not contest three seats which have been agreed upon with the BGPM. The TMC leader expressed doubts about the BJP’s strategy ahead of the 2026 state elections, alleging that the party has incited a crisis surrounding LPG gas supply. Banerjee called for unity among the electorate while vowing to dedicate her campaign to the cultural identity of Bengal, stating, “Before announcing the candidate list, I thank the people of Bengal.” She also criticized the BJP, asserting that their prospects of securing seats have diminished.

Concerns Over Central Oversight

Banerjee raised alarms regarding the central government’s influence over West Bengal, claiming that her governing authority has been undermined by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). She mentioned, “All power of mine they removed. In cases of natural calamities, who will take responsibility? If law enforcement issues arise, who will be accountable?” She accused the central authorities of introducing external forces into the state, which she suggested jeopardizes local governance.

Mamata’s Appeal to Voters

Responding directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee expressed confidence in the TMC’s ability to secure more seats in the upcoming elections, encouraging voters to prioritize local identity over financial incentives. “Boycott the BJP, do not vote for the BJP. Vote for Bengal. In 2026, we will win by bagging more than 226 seats,” she declared. Banerjee urged the electorate to resist voting based on monetary benefits and to instead support the essence of Bengali culture and community.

Election Timeline

The election will proceed in two phases, with the first occurring on April 23 and the second on April 29. Counting of votes for both phases is scheduled for May 4, and the complete electoral process is expected to conclude by May 6. The previous assembly elections in West Bengal took place in 2021, conducted in eight phases and marked by strong competition between the TMC and BJP.

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