West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: TMC and BJP Face Off Amid Electoral Roll Revisions

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled for April 23 and 29 with results on May 4, feature a high-stakes contest primarily between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has significantly expanded its presence since 2011, aiming to challenge TMC's dominance amid issues like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, identity politics, welfare schemes, and anti-incumbency sentiments. Key battlegrounds include constituencies like Bhabanipur and Nandigram, with both parties mobilizing strong leadership and grassroots networks. The Left and Congress remain minor players, focusing on vote share improvements. The election narrative is shaped by debates over infiltration, Bengali identity, welfare politics, and governance concerns.