As the West Bengal Assembly elections are approaching, Congress has intensified its election campaign. Former state president of Bengal Congress and candidate from Baharampur, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary is also seen fully active in the election field. He is constantly going among the people and making direct contact with them. In an interview given to NDTV, he spoke openly on many important issues related to elections. Adhir Ranjan told that he is completely healthy and walks every morning to campaign.

When former Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Choudhary was asked whether he would support Congress if some Congress seats come up after the elections and Mamata Banerjee needs them. On this he said that this is an imaginary question and it cannot be answered right now. In this way he also expressed the intentions of his party.

When are the elections in West Bengal?

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 are going to be held in two phases this time. The first phase will be held on 23 April 2026 and the second phase will be held on 29 April 2026. After this, counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026 and the results will be revealed on the same day. Voting will be held on all 294 seats in the state and to form the government, any party or alliance must win at least 148 seats.

The politics of West Bengal has always been very interesting. At present the politics of the state is mainly divided between three big parties.

How is the politics of West Bengal?

First of all let’s talk about Trinamool Congress i.e. TMC, whose leader is Mamata Banerjee. At present, it is their government in the state and their hold is considered strong especially among the villages and women. In his politics, Bengal’s identity i.e. regional pride is given special place. On the other hand, there is Bharatiya Janata Party i.e. BJP, whose main face is considered to be Suvendu Adhikari. BJP performed well in the 2021 elections and emerged as the main opposition party.

This time the party is contesting elections on development, employment and national issues and is trying to give a tough competition to TMC. The third front is of Left parties and Congress, in which CPM and Congress are contesting the elections together. These parties were in power for a long time i.e. from 1977 to 2011, but now their position is weak. Still they are trying to make a comeback.

Also read: Assembly Election 2026 Live: Will Congress support TMC if it falls short of seats after the elections? Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary replied

The atmosphere has become very heated before the elections in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has clearly said that her party cannot be intimidated by midnight raids and arrests. His statement came at a time when I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel was arrested by ED in Delhi. Mamata Banerjee said during a rally in Pingla, West Midnapore that if one worker is arrested, another will stand in his place. He said that Trinamool Congress will continue the fight and West Bengal cannot be controlled so easily. He accused the central government of threatening to put people in jail, but the party will not step back from this.

Mamta Banerjee also said that since the announcement of elections, ED and CBI are continuously taking action. Summons have been sent to many leaders and raids are being conducted at night. Mamata Banerjee alleges that a plan is being made to arrest booth agents just before the elections so that the opposition becomes weak on the day of voting.

I-PAC co-founder arrested

Party’s National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee also reacted strongly to the arrest of I-PAC’s co-founder. He said that such action a few days before the elections raises questions on fair elections. He alleged that those working with the opposition are being targeted, which is not good for democracy. Abhishek Banerjee also said that if those who have serious allegations change their parties, they are saved, while action is taken against the rest.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien also termed the ED’s action as interference in the elections. He said that all this is an attempt to influence the elections, but despite this BJP will have to face defeat.

Mamta Banerjee appealed during rallies

Mamta Banerjee appealed to women during the rallies that if someone is stopped from voting, they should stand firm. He made it clear that he is not in favor of violence, but people should stand up for their rights. He also raised the question as to why such a large number of central forces were sent at the time of elections, when the state police could also have worked to maintain peace. He asked people to complain if any officer harasses them. He said that the job of the central forces is to maintain peace, but if they stop people from voting then it is against democracy.

Also read: ‘BJP has started preparations for Punjab elections’, AAP leaders raised questions on ED raid on Ashok Mittal’s premises.

A new opinion poll released before the West Bengal Assembly elections has revealed a mixed picture. According to this survey, Trinamool Congress (TMC) seems to be returning to power once again, but its seats may decrease. At the same time, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be stronger than before. According to the latest survey of VoteVibe, Mamata Banerjee’s party TMC can get 174 to 184 seats in the 294-member assembly. The majority figure is 148, so TMC can easily form the government. If this happens, it will be Mamata Banerjee’s fourth consecutive term, although the seats may be less than before.

On the other hand, BJP is expected to get 108 to 118 seats this time, which is more than the previous estimate. It is clear from this that BJP can come in the role of a strong opposition this time. At the same time, the position of Congress and Left parties remains weak and they are expected to get only 0 to 4 seats. Earlier in the survey of March 23, TMC was expected to get 184 to 194 seats and BJP was expected to get 98 to 108 seats. In the new survey, TMC’s seats seem to be decreasing slightly and BJP’s seats are increasing.

Results of 2021 assembly elections

If compared with the 2021 assembly elections, at that time TMC had won 215 seats and BJP had won 77 seats. New figures show that even if TMC forms the government again, BJP will emerge stronger this time. If we look at the areas, the contest may be tough in Midnapore, where BJP seems to be getting an edge. At the same time, TMC’s hold remains strong in areas like Presidency and Malda. Mamata Banerjee is still the most preferred leader for the post of Chief Minister. According to the survey, 46.4% people want to see him as the Chief Minister again, while BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari has got 34.9% support. Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary of Congress and Mohammad Salim of CPM are far behind.

The biggest issue in the survey is employment and development

VoteVibe survey also revealed that the biggest issue for the people is employment and development, which 35.1% people said was most important. After this, law and order, women’s safety, election related issues and inflation are also major concerns. People’s opinion is divided regarding government schemes. About 53.6% people believe that the schemes run for the youth have not been completely successful in reducing unemployment. A clear inclination is also visible in the voting pattern. Muslim voters are largely with TMC, while SC-ST and upper caste Hindu voters seem to be leaning towards BJP.

Also read: Tamil Nadu Election 2026: The survey gave sleepless nights to the opposition regarding this party contesting elections for the first time, it can win so many seats.

A new opinion poll has given a big indication regarding the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. According to this survey, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party TMC can once again return to power and form the government for the fourth consecutive time. However, this time the number of seats is expected to be less than before. In this survey of VoteVibe, TMC is estimated to get around 174 to 184 seats in the 294-seat assembly. 148 seats are required for majority in the state, which means TMC can easily get majority.

There may be improvement in BJP’s performance. According to the survey, BJP may get 108 to 118 seats, which is more than the previous estimate. On the other hand, Congress and Left parties are not able to show any significant impact this time too and they are expected to get only 0 to 4 seats. Earlier, in a survey conducted on March 23, TMC was expected to get 184 to 194 seats and BJP to get 98 to 108 seats, but in the new survey, BJP’s position seems to be getting stronger and TMC’s seats are slightly underestimated.

How many seats did TMC get in the 2021 elections?

If we talk about 2021 elections, at that time TMC had formed the government by winning 215 seats, while BJP had got 77 seats. The new survey indicates that this time TMC will remain in power, but BJP may emerge as a stronger opposition than before. If we look at the areas, the competition can be quite tough at some places. BJP seems to be gaining in Midnapore, while TMC seems strong in Presidency and Malda areas. The performance of these areas can have a big impact on the final result. Talking about the face of the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee is still the most favorite leader. In the survey, 46.4 percent people liked him, while BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari got 34.9 percent support. Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary of Congress and Mohammad Salim of CPM are far behind.

What is the biggest issue of voters?

The biggest issues for voters are unemployment and development, which 35.1 percent people said were most important. After this comes law and order and women’s safety, then issues related to voter list, inflation and other problems. People also have mixed views regarding government schemes. Especially on the ongoing schemes for the youth, 53.6 percent people said that this will not solve the problem of unemployment. The trend of voting on the basis of religion and caste is also clearly visible. Muslim voters are with TMC in large numbers, while BJP is getting more support among SC-ST and upper caste Hindu voters. People’s opinion is also divided regarding the functioning of the state government. Some people consider it good while a large number of people also call it bad.

Also read: 6 Ukrainians and one American came on tourism visa, went to Myanmar from Mizoram, NIA suspects terrorist link

After Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on Red Road in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing a gathering, made a direct attack on the central government. She said that people’s names are being removed from SIR and she went from Kolkata to Delhi regarding this issue. He told that he has taken up this matter from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court of India, so that the rights of the people are protected.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she stands with every person of Bengal, irrespective of caste, religion or community. She clearly said that she will continue this fight further and will not let anyone snatch away the rights of the people.

Targeted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Taking the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in her speech, Mamata Banerjee said that we will not let Modi ji snatch our rights. Along with this, he alleged that the Central Government wants to forcefully control the Government of Bengal and impose President’s rule in the state. Mamta Banerjee said that her government is not afraid. He said, “Those who are afraid, lose, and only those who fight, move ahead in life.” He also said that his party will stand for the rights of the people in every situation.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: After people offered namaz at Red Road, on Eid ul-Fitr, CM Mamata Banerjee says, “…People’s names were deleted in SIR. I went from Kolkata to Delhi, from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court for this. I hope that people’s rights are… pic.twitter.com/y6Spq65OLp

— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2026

Bharatiya Janata Party Mamata Banerjee’s attack

Mamta Banerjee also made serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said that BJP is a party of goons and thieves and is trying to divide the country. He also said that some people are taking money to distribute votes, and the public has recognized such people. In the end he also said a saying that no matter how bad one wishes, only that which is acceptable to God happens. In this way, Mamata Banerjee’s speech given on the occasion of Eid has become much talked about politically.

Also read: Eid Ul-Fitr: Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated across the country, Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu congratulated

Before the West Bengal Assembly elections, politics has once again entered the phase of allegations and counter-allegations. A new political war has broken out between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party over the candidate list. Both the parties are making serious allegations against each other through social media, due to which the election atmosphere seems to be getting more heated.

TMC in its official post mentioned the old scams regarding Suvendu Adhikari. The post said that the leader was caught red-handed taking bribe on camera in the Narada sting operation. Saradha chief Sudipto Sen had taken his name in his explosive letter and alleged illegal embezzlement of crores of rupees. Along with this, the post reiterated the allegations and said, ‘Narada scam. Saradha scam. Double scam. Double ticket. This statement is being seen as a political message, because scams like Narada and Saradha have been a part of the election discourse in West Bengal politics for a long time. Raising these issues again before the elections is being considered a sign of political strategy.

BJP’s attack

At the same time, the West Bengal unit of BJP raised the issue of recruitment scam regarding the candidate list of Trinamool. BJP said in its post, ‘Trinamool’s candidate list starts with the SSC scam. Take away jobs, make teachers unemployed and then get tickets from TMC. Even his daughter’s illegal job was canceled by the Calcutta High Court. This is the small story of Paresh Adhikari, candidate from Mekliganj. This statement of BJP has tried to bring the issue of employment and corruption to the center of the election debate. The SSC recruitment controversy in West Bengal has been a politically sensitive issue for some time, which has had a big impact on the politics of the state.

attack on social media

Political analysts believe that this political conflict between the two parties is not limited to just one candidate, but is part of a broader strategy to influence the election narrative. While Trinamool wants to raise questions on the credibility of the opposition by making old scams an issue, BJP wants to make matters related to employment and recruitment a major election agenda among the public. This controversy has come to light at a time when election preparations have intensified in the state and with the announcement of the names of the candidates, political rhetoric is also increasing.

Experts say that such allegations and counter-allegations can affect the electoral environment and increase political polarization among voters. Now it remains to be seen in which direction this political battle will go in the coming days and whether these issues will actually influence the voters’ decision or will remain limited to election rhetoric. At present, it is certain that this battle of allegations is going to intensify further before the elections in Bengal politics.