West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Congress Faces Challenges Amidst TMC and BJP Campaigns

The West Bengal Assembly elections are approaching, with significant preparations from the BJP and TMC. While Congress has announced its star campaigners, many prominent leaders are notably absent from the state. This article delves into the challenges faced by Congress, the competitive landscape against TMC, and the strategic decisions influencing their campaign efforts. With key contests in districts like Malda and Berhampore, the political dynamics are heating up as the election dates draw near.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 7, 2026, 14:35 IST

Upcoming Elections in West Bengal

The elections for the 294 assembly seats in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and April 29. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have been gearing up for these elections for over a year. High-profile visits from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been frequent, with a full team of cabinet ministers actively campaigning in the state. Meanwhile, TMC leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, are conducting roadshows and engaging with voters on foot. Amidst this intense competition, many are questioning the Congress party's strategy and presence in the state.

Congress Leaders Absent from West Bengal

Prominent Congress figures have been spotted in Assam, Puducherry, Kerala, and even Tamil Nadu, but they seem to be avoiding West Bengal. Leaders like General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and President Mallikarjun Kharge have been notably absent from active campaigning in West Bengal, with their visits being so brief that they have barely covered even 43 seats, let alone the full 243.

Congress's Campaign Strategy

On Tuesday, the Congress party released a list of 40 star campaigners for West Bengal, which includes Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, along with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. However, despite Kharge's arrival in West Bengal, his campaign activities appear limited. Other leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are also part of the star campaigners but seem to be distancing themselves from active campaigning. The party's social media presence regarding West Bengal is notably low, relying heavily on the government's performance for their campaign.

The Battle Between Congress and TMC

In Central West Bengal, a competitive battle is anticipated between the TMC and Congress. Senior Congress leader and former MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting from the Berhampore assembly seat, making this a significant contest for him, especially after losing to TMC's Yusuf Pathan in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Recently, he faced off against TMC leaders during a rally, where TMC slogans were chanted in response to his presence.

Key Contests in Malda District

The contest in Malda district is also noteworthy. Congress candidate Mausam Benazir Noor, who returned to Congress from TMC, is running for the Malatipur seat. She is the niece of former Union Minister ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, whose family has significant influence in the area. Mamata Banerjee has taken this contest seriously, conducting multiple rallies and questioning the Noor family's legacy.

Reasons Behind Congress Leaders' Absence

One reason for the absence of Congress leaders in West Bengal is the imminent elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. While Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have some time left, the elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are set for April 9. Congress leaders believe that once the first phase of voting concludes, they will focus their efforts on Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Additionally, there is a sentiment within the party that the Congress's campaign in West Bengal is limited to a few seats, and even without a formal alliance, it resembles a friendly contest against the BJP. This perception may be why central leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi are hesitant to engage in West Bengal.