The political battle for West Bengal has officially begun after the Election Commission of India announced the dates for the upcoming Assembly elections, setting the stage for a high-voltage contest.
A day after the announcement, the Bharatiya Janata Party released its first list of 144 candidates, signalling an aggressive start to its campaign.
Soon after, the ruling All India Trinamool Congress unveiled its list of 291 candidates, showcasing its electoral strategy and social representation ahead of the crucial polls.
Why Is Mamata Banerjee Contesting From Bhabanipur?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from the Bhabanipur constituency, a seat considered politically significant for her.
In a major showdown, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has been fielded against her from Bhabanipur. Apart from this high-profile contest, Adhikari will also contest from Nandigram, widely seen as a safer constituency for him.
Who Are the Key Candidates Announced by TMC?
The TMC list includes several prominent leaders:
- Firhad Hakim from Kolkata Port
- Kunal Ghosh from Beleghata
- Jyotipriyo Mallick from Habra
Releasing the list, TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee highlighted the party’s focus on social inclusion. He said:
- 52 women candidates have been given tickets
- 95 candidates belong to SC/ST communities
- 47 candidates are from minority communities
How Many Seats Is TMC Targeting in Bengal Elections?
While unveiling the list, Mamata Banerjee expressed strong confidence in her party’s chances, stating that TMC aims to win more than 226 out of the total 294 Assembly seats.
Her bold claim signals the party’s aggressive push to retain power for another term in the state.
Why Did Mamata Banerjee Call EC a ‘BJP Commission’?
Reacting sharply to the transfer of several officials ahead of the polls, Mamata Banerjee accused the Election Commission of bias.
She termed it a “BJP Commission” and alleged that the poll body was playing “brilliant games” by reshuffling key officials just before elections—remarks that have added fresh controversy to the already heated political atmosphere.
When Will Voting and Counting Take Place?
Voting for all 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases:
- April 23
- April 29
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the fate of all candidates will be decided.
With both TMC and BJP stepping up their campaign and high-profile clashes like Mamata vs Suvendu grabbing headlines, West Bengal is heading towards one of its most intense electoral battles in recent years.
