In the ongoing election for the Bhabanipur constituency, Suvendu Adhikari is showing strong early trends against Mamata Banerjee. This election is critical as it comes after Adhikari’s previous victory over Banerjee by a narrow margin in Nandigram. As the counting progresses, the dynamics of the race continue to evolve.
Suvendu Adhikari vs. Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur
Adhikari’s challenge to Banerjee stems from their last encounter in which he defeated her by fewer than 2,000 votes. This defeat prompted Banerjee to contest from Bhabanipur to secure her position in the Assembly. The Bhabanipur seat, located in the Kolkata district, has been a stronghold for the Trinamool Congress since 2011, when it was won by Subrata Bakshi.
Historical Context of Bhabanipur
- 2011: Subrata Bakshi won the Bhabanipur constituency.
- Later in 2011: Mamata Banerjee became the MLA through a by-poll.
- Previous Elections: The seat was known as Kalighat and won by Congress in three out of four elections prior to 2011.
Adhikari has announced his candidacy from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur this election cycle, further intensifying the rivalry. As of 9:45 am, early results indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a commanding lead over the Trinamool Congress, marking a shift in political dynamics.
BJP’s Performance in the 2026 Bengal Assembly Election
The BJP currently leads in 158 seats of the 234-seat West Bengal Assembly, significantly outpacing the Trinamool Congress, which retains 119 seats. The Congress party, which faced heavy losses in the 2021 elections, is leading in four seats.
Election Timeline and Campaign Dynamics
- Voting Days: Bengal voted in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
- Campaign Highlights: The run-up to the election witnessed fierce exchanges of allegations of poll violence and misconduct between the Trinamool and the BJP.
- 2021 Outcome: The Trinamool Congress previously secured 215 out of 294 seats in the last assembly election, enabling Banerjee to serve as chief minister for a third consecutive term.
This election not only tests the electoral base of Mamata Banerjee but also highlights the rising influence of Suvendu Adhikari and the BJP in West Bengal politics.
