working class voters

Once Mamata Banerjee’s strongest urban constituency, Bengal’s bhadralok were driven up the wall by corruption, job scams, civic decay and the handling of the RG Kar rape and murder, write Dwaipayan Ghosh & Dipawali Mitra

As women voters across Western democracies increasingly align themselves with progressive and left-wing politics, India is witnessing a strikingly different trend — one that is helping strengthen the BJP’s rise across regions, classes and generations

The various British establishments, from Church to Parliament to Royalty, are peculiarly adept at absorbing dissenting views, with the brief interruption of Cromwell. That makes it rather odd that a former football hooligan from a working-class background now holds Britain’s most powerful microphone, with talking points amplified by Elon Musk, who Robinson says also pays his legal bills, and views in complete coherence with his MAGA cousins across the pond.

West Bengal's new BJP government is enacting swift policy changes, replacing TMC schemes with central programs like Ayushman Bharat and Annapurna Yojna. Mandatory 'Vande Mataram' in schools, revised OBC reservations, and increased age limits for government jobs are among the key decisions. The administration is also scrutinizing caste certificates and initiating corruption probes.

Following significant local election losses, Labour leader Keir Starmer has appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy. This move comes amidst calls for Starmer's resignation from some party MPs, while voters express dissatisfaction with economic issues and immigration. Reform UK and the Greens have seen substantial gains in the polls.

A version of the British Parliament has been around since 1265 in one form or another, and has survived murderous kings, civil and world wars, lord protectors, skirmishes that inspired the Game of Thrones Red Wedding, and one lettuce that briefly became a constitutional actor. It has seen its fair share of entertaining characters.

Barchalla, Assam, gears up for a high-stakes 2026 election with a key contest between BJP's Ritu Baran Sarmah and INC's Ripun Bora. The constituency's Gorkha and Tea Tribe voters are central, with campaigns focusing on ST status demands and land rights for plantation workers. High voter turnout suggests a focus on socio-economic issues over party affiliation.

On the economic front,Bengal is now likely to get a lot of help from Centre. But carrying out some parts of BJP’s ideological work, may face stiff resistance

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal. The BJP secured a significant win in the 2026 assembly elections. Several prominent leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony. The new government includes ministers like Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik. The state saw record voter turnout.

She’ll Fulfil Promise: Health Minister Joins Banter

After a decisive electoral defeat in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee faces her toughest political reset in decades. Can a leader forged in agitation rebuild a weakened organisation, reclaim public trust, and reposition herself against an entrenched Bharatiya Janata Party government?

Barjora, a marginal TMC seat in South Bengal, faces a close contest between TMC and BJP. With a significant OBC and SC population, and a workforce tied to the Durgapur industrial belt, key voter concerns revolve around employment, welfare, and infrastructure. The constituency's industrial-agrarian character and a narrow 2021 victory margin make it a crucial watch seat.

Ollur, a CPI stronghold in Thrissur, Kerala, has consistently delivered LDF victories since 2016, driven by labor welfare and urban development. Despite UDF resurgence and BJP consolidation, connectivity upgrades and minority concerns will shape the upcoming 2026 elections in this key central Kerala constituency.