West Bengal Assembly Result 2026: Mamata, Adhikari and other heavyweights to watch

New Delhi: West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 are underway with a tight race between the ruling parties Trinamool Congress (TMC) and bjp (BJP), exit polls show deep divisions in mandate. While some forecasts give the BJP an advantage, others point to a close race, underscoring the uncertainty of the outcome. chief minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the predictions, insisting her party would achieve a landslide victory.However, beyond the headlines, the election is also affected by two powerful undercurrents – the controversy over the Special Intensification Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Register and a series of high-stakes fights involving high-profile politicians. The removal of hundreds of thousands of voters has sparked outrage across districts and could affect close races.Here are the heavyweights to watch

Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee is contesting the election, seeking a fourth consecutive term, positioning herself as the face of welfare governance and Bengali identity. Contesting in her stronghold, she remains the TMC’s central figure and most powerful activist.Her campaign combined strident attacks on exit polls with accusations of deleting voters, which she claimed had a disproportionate impact on her party’s support base. Despite anti-incumbency concerns, Banerjee is counting on welfare programs and grassroots networks to maintain her dominance.

Suwendu official

Suvendu Adhikari remains the BJP’s most visible face in the state, carrying the momentum of defeating Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021.Facing challenges from his former support base, Adhikari is trying to consolidate the BJP’s gains by focusing on governance issues and alleged irregularities. His performance is crucial to the BJP’s hopes of converting electoral gains into power.

Dilip Ghosh

Former party president Dilip Ghosh aims to regain his influence after a turbulent period for the BJP.Returning to familiar political territory, Ghosh relied on his organizational experience and grassroots connections. However, deletions from electoral rolls and changing local dynamics have made his campaign far from smooth sailing, becoming a key test of his political clout.

Arjun Singh

After changing political parties several times in recent years, Arjun Singh finds himself fighting to maintain political relevance.Once the dominant force in the industrial belt, Singh now shows confidence but faces a challenge from the younger TMC leadership. His performance will show whether individual influence can outweigh organizational power in a changing political landscape.

Trinamul Bhattacharya

Trinankur Bhattacharya represents TMC’s attempt to inject new life into its ranks.As a young leader taking on experienced opponents, Bhattacharya’s candidacy reflects the party’s refreshed strategy. His success or failure could affect the effectiveness of the TMC’s transition to a new generation of leadership.

Arup Biswas

Aroop Biswas, a long-serving TMC heavyweight, is campaigning on a platform of development and urban transformation.He emphasized infrastructure improvements and city upgrades, portraying himself as a results-oriented manager. However, his narrative has been challenged by opponents’ criticism of alleged civic neglect.

Papia Adhikari

Papia Adhikari has become an outspoken critic of the TMC’s governance model, especially in urban constituencies.Her campaign focused on highlighting gaps in civic infrastructure and questioning the sustainability of development claims. She represents the BJP’s efforts to expand its reach in Bengal’s cities.

Swapan Dasgupta

Swapan Dasgupta made a high-profile appearance in the BJP campaign, combining policy criticism with election propaganda.Dasgupta has focused on corruption allegations and governance issues in an attempt to connect with middle-class urban voters while countering perceptions of being an outsider.

Debash Kumar

Debash Kumar represents the TMC’s deep-rooted organizational strength, especially in urban strongholds.With decades of political experience, he relies on grassroots networks and local development work to fend off the challenge of an increasingly assertive Bharatiya Janata Party.

Soma Thakur VS Madupana Thakur

Soma Thakur and Madhuparna Thakur are locked in a politically significant family rivalry that has attracted attention across the state.Their fight reflects deeper currents within the influential Matua community, where voter concerns about citizenship and erasure from electoral rolls played a decisive role. The results could affect voting patterns beyond individual seats.

Mausam Benazir Noor

Mausam Benazir Noor navigates a complex triangular rivalry while trying to revive her family’s political legacy.Her return to Congress after a spell in the TMC adds another layer of intrigue and her performance may determine whether traditional politics still holds sway in parts of Bengal.

Adil Ranjan Chowdhury: The fight for survival

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury faces one of the toughest challenges of his career as he seeks to regain a foothold in state politics.Once a dominant figure in the region, Chaudhry will now face off against the BJP and TMC in a high-stakes contest that could decide the Congress’s future in Bengal.