West Bengal Gears Up for Phase 1 Voting
Campaigning has concluded for the initial phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, with polling scheduled for April 23. A total of 152 constituencies are set to cast their votes in this critical phase, marking the beginning of the state's electoral process.
Among the constituencies going to polls, several high-profile seats are drawing significant attention. These include the politically charged Nandigram, along with key areas such as Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Siliguri, which are central to the electoral strategies of major parties.
High-Stakes Battle in Nandigram
The Nandigram constituency is once again a focal point, featuring a significant contest. Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is vying for the seat against Pabitra Kar from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The electoral battle also includes Sekh Jariatul Hossain representing the Congress party and CPI leader Shanti Giri.
Nandigram holds historical significance, as Suvendu Adhikari famously defeated TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in this constituency during the 2021 elections, making it a closely watched race this cycle.
North Bengal: A Crucial Battleground
North Bengal emerges as a pivotal region in this election, with all 54 of its assembly seats scheduled for polling in the first phase. This area proved instrumental for the BJP's gains in the 2021 election, establishing it as a stronghold for the party.
The BJP is keen to consolidate its position and retain its dominance in North Bengal, while the TMC is actively campaigning to reclaim lost ground. For the BJP, success in this northern region is considered a viable strategy to counterbalance the TMC's established influence in South Bengal.
Full List of Phase 1 Constituencies
- Mekliganj (SC)
- Mathabhanga (SC)
- Coochbehar Uttar (SC)
- Coochbehar Dakshin
- Sitalkuchi (SC)
- Sitai (SC)
- Dinhata
- Natabari
- Tufanganj
- Kumargram (ST)
- Kalchini (ST)
- Alipurduars
- Falakata (SC)
- Madarihat (ST)
- Dhupguri (SC)
- Maynaguri (SC)
- Jalpaiguri (SC)
- Rajganj (SC)
- Dabgram-Fulbari
- Mal (ST)
- Nagrakata (ST)
- Kalimpong
- Darjeeling
- Kurseong
- Matigara-Naxalbari (SC)
- Siliguri
- Phansidewa (ST)
- Chopra
- Islampur
- Goalpokhar
- Chakulia
- Karandighi
- Hemtabad (SC)
- Kaliaganj (SC)
- Raiganj
- Itahar
- Kushmandi (SC)
- Kumarganj
- Balurghat
- Tapan (ST)
- Gangarampur (SC)
- Harirampur
- Habibpur (ST)
- Gazole (SC)
- Chanchal
- Harischandrapur
- Malatipur
- Ratua
- Manikchak
- Maldaha (SC)
- English Bazar
- Mothabari
- Sujapur
- Baisnabnagar
- Farakka
- Samserganj
- Suti
- Jangipur
- Raghunathganj
- Sagardighi
- Lalgola
- Bhagawangola
- Raninagar
- Murshidabad
- Nabagram (SC)
- Khargram (SC)
- Burwan (SC)
- Kandi
- Bharatpur
- Rejinagar
- Beldanga
- Baharampur
- Hariharpara
- Nowda
- Domkal
- Jalangi
- Tamluk
- Panskura Purba
- Panskura Paschim
- Moyna
- Nandakumar
- Mahisadal
- Haldia (SC)
- Nandigram
- Chandipur
- Patashpur
- Kanthi Uttar
- Bhagabanpur
- Khejuri (SC)
- Kanthi Dakshin
- Ramnagar
- Egra
- Dantan
- Nayagram (ST)
- Gopiballavpur
- Jhargram
- Keshiary (ST)
- Kharagpur Sadar
- Narayangarh
- Sabang
- Pingla
- Kharagpur
- Debra
- Daspur
- Ghatal (SC)
- Chandrakona (SC)
- Garbeta
- Salboni
- Keshpur (SC)
- Medinipur
- Binpur (ST)
- Bandwan (ST)
- Balarampur
- Baghmundi
- Joypur
- Purulia
- Manbazar (ST)
- Kashipur
- Para (SC)
- Raghunathpur (SC)
- Saltora (SC)
- Chhatna
- Ranibandh (ST)
- Raipur (ST)
- Taldangra
- Bankura
- Barjora
- Onda
- Bishnupur
- Katulpur (SC)
- Indus (SC)
- Sonamukhi (SC)
- Pandabeswar
- Durgapur Purba
- Durgapur Paschim
- Raniganj
- Jamuria
- Asansol Dakshin
- Asansol Uttar
- Kulti
- Barabani
- Dubrajpur (SC)
- Suri
- Bolpur
- Nanoor (SC)
- Labpur
- Sainthia (SC)
- Mayureswar
- Rampurhat
- Hansan
- Nalhati
- Murarai
Looking Ahead to Phase 2
Following the first phase, the West Bengal Assembly Elections will continue with its second phase of polling. This next stage is scheduled for April 29, during which 142 additional constituencies will cast their votes.