Kolkata, March 13: Asansol, the second-largest city in West Bengal, is often referred to as the “land of black diamonds” due to its coal-rich terrain. This city is a fascinating arena for state politics, where coal dust fills the air, factory sirens signal the start of the day, and the streets resonate with a mix of Bengali sweetness and the vibrant tones of Bhojpuri and Hindi.
Nestled near the Jharkhand border and at the foothills of the Chotanagpur Plateau, Asansol is not just a parliamentary constituency; it is a thriving industrial hub. The political terrain here is as rugged as the election outcomes have been surprising. From the red flags of the Left to the saffron surge of the BJP, and now the green wave of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Asansol has witnessed a spectrum of political colors.
Unlike other parts of Bengal, Asansol has a significant non-Bengali voter base, comprising nearly 36%. Workers from Bihar and Jharkhand, who arrived decades ago to toil in the mines and factories, have become the architects of the region’s fate. The demographic here includes approximately 43% Bengali speakers, 31% Hindi speakers, and 19% Urdu speakers. This unique mix transforms elections into an intriguing cocktail of ‘Bengali identity’ versus ‘national identity.’
There was a time when this area was an impregnable fortress for the CPI(M), dominated by trade unions. However, in 2014, Bollywood singer Babul Supriyo, contesting on a BJP ticket, struck a chord that dismantled the Left’s stronghold. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Supriyo increased his victory margin, suggesting that the BJP had deeply rooted itself in the region. Yet, the political narrative was far from over. After 2021, Supriyo switched allegiance to the TMC. In the 2022 by-elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played a masterstroke by fielding Shatrughan Sinha, which successfully opened the TMC’s account in Asansol for the first time.
Sinha’s ability to connect TMC’s traditional Bengali votes with Hindi-speaking voters led to a victory margin of over 300,000 votes. In the upcoming 2024 general elections, Sinha retained his seat, defeating BJP heavyweight S.S. Ahluwalia by nearly 60,000 votes.
The Asansol parliamentary constituency encompasses seven assembly seats. Based on the 2021 assembly elections, a clear and intriguing division emerges between the TMC and BJP.
– Pandaveshwar: This rural and mining-affected area is firmly under TMC control, represented by current MLA Narendra Nath Chakraborty.
– Raniganj: Historically a coal mining hub, TMC’s organizational structure here is robust, with MLA Tapas Banerjee leading.
– Jamuria: A significant Muslim population and labor support have made this a TMC stronghold, represented by Harem Singh.
– Barabani: Predominantly SC/ST, the impact of Mamata Banerjee’s welfare schemes is evident here, with MLA Bidhan Upadhyay.
– Asansol North: A VIP seat, where Malay Ghatak, a state minister and influential leader, serves as MLA.
– Asansol South: An urban, middle-class, and business-oriented seat held by BJP leader Agnimitra Paul.
– Kulti: Another urban area with a mixed population, where the BJP maintains its influence, represented by MLA Ajay Kumar Poddar.
It is clear that in rural, labor, and minority-dominated areas (Pandaveshwar, Raniganj, Jamuria), TMC’s welfare initiatives like ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ are becoming winning guarantees. Meanwhile, in the main urban and commercial centers (Asansol South and Kulti), the BJP’s urban voter base remains steadfast.
Amidst the political promises, a grim reality looms over Asansol: illegal rat-hole mining. The Raniganj-Asansol belt is home to approximately 3,500 illegal mines, where impoverished workers descend into dark tunnels for meager earnings.
With West Bengal’s assembly elections approaching in May 2026, the political chessboard in Asansol is already being set. The TMC is promoting new development projects worth ₹22,000 crores, including a shale gas project, the East Coast Industrial Corridor (ECIC), and a high-speed bullet train network. In contrast, the BJP is focusing on alleged corruption and coal smuggling involving TMC leaders, as well as mining accidents. Left parties are attempting to revive trade unions to reclaim their lost ground.
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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