Kolkata, March 17: The election dates for West Bengal have been announced. This time, voting will take place in just two phases on April 23 and 29, a significant reduction from the previous eight phases. Political parties are gearing up for the battle ahead. Let’s explore the electoral dynamics of the seven assembly seats under the Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency.
Currently, Kolkata South is a stronghold for the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party has a firm grip on all seven assembly seats: Kasba, Behala East, Behala West, Kolkata Port, Bhawanipur, Rashbehari, and Ballygunge.
Kasba, a general category assembly seat, is administratively located in the South 24 Parganas district. It has consistently favored the TMC, with incumbent MLA Javed Ahmed Khan winning in the last three assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains the primary challenger here.
Behala East is another general category seat under Kolkata South. The TMC made its mark here in 2001 and has maintained dominance since. In 2021, TMC’s Ratna Chatterjee defeated BJP’s Payal Sarkar by a margin of 37,428 votes, reinforcing the party’s stronghold. However, the rising vote share of the BJP is a growing concern for the ruling party.
Behala West has also been a bastion for the TMC. The party has remained undefeated here since its inception. Partha Chatterjee of the TMC has won three consecutive times, defeating CPI(M)’s Anupam Debsarkar by 59,021 votes in 2011. The TMC’s hold on this seat remains firm, although the BJP emerged as a significant challenger in 2019. The TMC is now focused on finding a suitable successor for Partha Chatterjee as they prepare for the 2026 elections.
Kolkata Port is one of the seven segments of the Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency. The TMC has dominated this seat since 2011, with Firhad Hakim as its candidate. Hakim, a former cabinet minister under Mamata Banerjee, first won this seat in 2011 and has successfully defended it against BJP’s Awadh Kishore Gupta in subsequent elections. The TMC is determined to maintain its dominance here in 2026.
Bhawanipur, also known as the home turf of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is another critical segment. The TMC has never lost here since Banerjee’s return in 2011, consistently winning both by-elections and regular elections. Recent trends indicate that Banerjee receives substantial support when she contests. While the BJP occasionally poses a challenge, a significant portion of the electorate remains loyal to her. If Banerjee runs again in 2026, her chances of retaining this seat look promising.
Rashbehari, located in the heart of Kolkata, has been a TMC stronghold since it won the seat in a by-election in 1998. The party’s Debashish Kumar defeated BJP’s Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Subhrat Saha by 21,414 votes in 2021. However, the BJP has been strengthening its position in this area, making the upcoming 2026 elections a challenge for the TMC.
Ballygunge is one of Kolkata’s most affluent areas and falls under the Kolkata South Lok Sabha constituency. The TMC has maintained its dominance here since 2006, with Subrata Mukherjee winning three consecutive elections. After his passing in 2022, the TMC fielded Babul Supriyo, who retained the seat by defeating CPI(M)’s Sayara Shah Halim. The TMC continues to hold a significant lead in this area, while the BJP has yet to challenge its supremacy effectively.
In summary, the TMC appears to be in a strong position as the 2026 assembly elections approach, despite the BJP and the Left-Congress alliance posing potential challenges.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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