The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, setting the stage for a high-stakes political contest in the state. In a significant move, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to contest from the Bhowanipore Assembly constituency, currently represented by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
भारतीय जनता पार्टी की केन्द्रीय चुनाव समिति ने होने वाले पश्चिम बंगाल विधानसभा चुनाव 2026 के लिए निम्नलिखित नामों पर अपनी स्वीकृति प्रदान की है। (1/3) pic.twitter.com/VlT3Z8Q9DJ
— BJP (@BJP4India) March 16, 2026
The decision signals the BJP’s strategy to directly challenge the Trinamool Congress leadership in one of the most politically symbolic constituencies in the state. Bhabanipur has long been considered a stronghold of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), with Mamata Banerjee securing victory there in the by-poll following the 2021 state elections.
Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, had previously defeated Mamata Banerjee in the fiercely contested Nandigram seat during the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election. His candidacy from Bhabanipur is widely seen as an attempt by the BJP to recreate a high-profile political showdown in the upcoming polls.
According to party sources, Adhikari may also retain his political base in the Nandigram Assembly constituency, from where he currently serves as MLA, although the final details of his candidacy are expected to be confirmed as additional candidate lists are released.
The announcement comes shortly after the Election Commission of India declared that polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
Political observers believe the contest in Bhabanipur could become one of the most closely watched battles of the election, symbolising the larger political rivalry between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in the state.
As campaigning gathers momentum, both parties are expected to deploy their top leadership in the constituency, turning Bhabanipur into a focal point of the electoral narrative ahead of polling day.
