Why TMC Benefits From A Strong Left-Congress In Bengal Polls?

Once allies, now rivals, but Bengal politics is far from straightforward. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Left and Congress won just one seat, yet their combined vote exceeded victory margins in 117 constituencies. This meant they played a decisive role in shaping outcomes without actually winning power. Now in 2026, Phase 2 covers 54 of those same seats in South Bengal, where contests are expected to be tight. The key factor remains vote division. If the Left and Congress perform well, they split the anti-TMC vote, making it harder for the BJP to consolidate support and easier for the TMC to win close contests. However, if they collapse, their vote base could shift towards the BJP, turning the election into a more direct fight. This is why the TMC is closely watching their performance. In Bengal, elections are not just about who gains votes, but how those votes are divided.