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West Bengal is set for a high-stakes electoral battle as voting for Phase 1 of the Assembly elections begins on April 23, with Phase 2 scheduled for April 29.
The results will be declared on May 4, setting the stage for a fierce contest primarily between the BJP and the TMC for control of the state. Phase 1 will cover 152 constituencies across north Bengal, western districts, and parts of the south - making it a crucial leg that could influence the overall outcome. Also Read - PM Modi’s Rs 10 Jhalmuri In Bengal: Small Snack, Big Election Debate Key constituencies in this phase include Siliguri, Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Raiganj, Balurghat, Malda, Murshidabad, Asansol, Bankura, and Baharampur. Here are some of the key candidates shaping the narrative in Phase 1:
Dilip Ghosh (Kharagpur Sadar)
A former state BJP president, Ghosh played a key role in expanding the party’s footprint in West Bengal, especially during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He previously won this seat in 2016, though the BJP narrowly held it in 2021. His return makes Kharagpur Sadar a closely watched battleground. Ghosh faces TMC's Pradip Sarkar in a high-stakes battle.
Agnimitra Paul (Asansol Dakshin)
One of the BJP’s prominent women leaders in the state, Paul emerged as a strong face after defeating TMC’s Saayoni Ghosh in 2021. Known for her sharp attacks on the ruling party, she will now face TMC’s Tapas Banerjee in a key rematch.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Baharampur)
A veteran Congress leader, Chowdhury represented Baharampur in Parliament five times before losing the seat in 2024. Now contesting as an MLA candidate, he is aiming to reclaim his political stronghold against BJP’s Subrata Maitra, making this a triangular contest.
Suvendu Adhikari (Nandigram/Bhabanipur)
The Leader of Opposition and a central figure in Bengal politics, Adhikari famously defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 after switching from the TMC to the BJP. He remains one of the BJP’s biggest bets and will once again be at the centre of political attention.
Interestingly, Adhikari’s decision to contest from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur has further raised the stakes this time around. Bhabanipur, widely seen as West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s political stronghold, is expected to become one of the most closely watched contests of the election.
Pabitra Kar (Nandigram)
Adding intrigue to Nandigram is Kar, a former associate of Adhikari who switched sides to the TMC just before candidate announcements. His contest against his former mentor adds a personal and political edge to the seat.
Tapas Banerjee (Asansol Dakshin)
A seasoned TMC leader, Banerjee previously held the Asansol Dakshin seat for a decade before losing in 2021. Currently an MLA from Raniganj, he is looking to regain lost ground in a high-profile contest against Agnimitra Paul.
Prasun Banerjee (Chanchal)
A former captain of the Indian football team, Banerjee brings star appeal and grassroots connect. The Congress is banking on his public image and legacy to perform well in the Malda region.
Rekha Patra (Hingalganj)
Patra rose to prominence during the Sandeshkhali protests, which became a major political flashpoint. Fielded by the BJP earlier in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, she now represents the party’s push to highlight women’s safety issues in the state.
Humayun Kabir (Domkal)
Kabir’s political journey has seen multiple shifts - from Congress to TMC to BJP and back again. After being expelled from the TMC in 2025, he floated his own party and is contesting independently, adding unpredictability to the Domkal seat.
With high-profile faces, shifting loyalties, and closely fought constituencies, Phase 1 of the West Bengal elections is expected to set the tone for the rest of the contest. All eyes are now on April 23 as the battle for Bengal officially begins.
