​Inside TMC’s lineup: Key candidates for West Bengal assembly elections 2026​

Bhabanipur has emerged as a key battleground, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch between chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and her arch-rival, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari—one that could shape the state’s political future.

Ex-BJP loyalist, Pabitra Kar, who was once a close aide to Suvendhu Adhikari, will be running against his own mentor in the upcoming election of the Nandigram constituency. Kar, a former panchayat pradhan of Nandigram-2 block, offers an intimate knowledge of the region. His deep understanding of his past party will be put to work as TMC trusts him to dismantle the influence of the BJP in the area.

Having represented the Harirampur seat since 2011, Biplab Mitra will seek to retain his stronghold as a senior TMC leader, but with the BJP gaining ground in North Bengal, the contest is shaping up to be a key test of his enduring influence. (Image credit: PTI)

Incumbent minister Chandrima Bhattacharya enters the fray as both a senior TMC leader and the face of its welfare pitch, having announced a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for unemployed youth if the party returns to power. Her contest now becomes a key test of whether TMC’s economic promises can hold ground against the BJP’s challenge. (Image credit: ANI)

Seeking another term from his constituency, Firhad Hakim steps into the race carrying significant influence in Kolkata’s political landscape; while his seat has traditionally leaned in TMC’s favour, the opposition is working to make deeper inroads in urban areas, turning this contest into a measure of whether Hakim’s local dominance can hold against an evolving electoral challenge.

Stepping into the contest from his constituency, Ujjwal Biswas emerges as a key local face for the Congress, relying on his grassroots connect and familiarity with the region to reinforce the party’s position, making the race a measure of how effectively local trust and on-ground presence translate into continued electoral support. (Image credit: X)

Kunal Ghosh welcomed his selection as the TMC candidate from Kolkata’s Beleghata constituency, a traditional CPM stronghold, thanking voters for their trust. Known for his combative style and strong media presence, his contest will test whether his outspoken approach can translate into sustained support for Mamata Banerjee’s governance on the ground.

Back in the fray from his constituency, Aroop Biswas contests as a veteran figure drawing on years of organisational strength and a strong local base, with the outcome likely to reflect how far his long-standing presence continues to resonate with voters. (Image credit: X)

Former India national football team captain turned politician, Prasun Banerjee, adds a distinct personal appeal to the contest as a senior face of the Congress, with his legacy in Indian football and long public presence shaping the election into a test of how far his popularity beyond politics continues to resonate with voters. (Image caption: PTI)

A familiar face in Howrah’s political landscape, Arup Roy contests again as a senior minister known for his organisational grip in the industrial belt, making the race a measure of whether his long-standing control over the constituency machinery continues to translate into electoral strength. (Image credit: X)