KOLKATA — The South Kolkata bastion of Bhabanipur is bracing for one of the most intense electoral battles in West Bengal’s history. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to defend her home turf against her former protégé-turned-arch-rival, Suvendu Adhikari, in a contest that mirrors their historic 2021 face-off in Nandigram.
As the state prepares for a two-phase election on April 23 and April 29, Bhabanipur has emerged as the symbolic center of the fight for political supremacy in Bengal.
The Battle Lines
The 2026 election brings a strategic role reversal. While Banerjee traditionally represents Bhabanipur, her decision to contest from Nandigram in 2021 resulted in a narrow defeat to Adhikari. This time, the BJP has gone on the offensive by fielding Adhikari in both Bhabanipur and his stronghold of Nandigram.
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TMC Strategy: With Banerjee busy leading a statewide campaign, her “loyalist” lieutenants—including Minister Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, and Subrata Bakshi—are managing the ground game in Bhabanipur.
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BJP Strategy: By pitting Adhikari against the CM in her own backyard, the BJP aims to “trap” Banerjee, forcing her to dedicate resources to a defensive local battle.
Key Electoral Shifts
The margin of victory in Bhabanipur has become a central point of contention between the two parties.
| Election Year | Winning Candidate | Margin of Victory |
| 2021 (Bypoll) | Mamata Banerjee | 58,832 votes |
| 2024 (Lok Sabha Lead) | Mala Roy (TMC) | ~8,200 votes |
| 2026 Prediction | Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) | Claims +25,000 margin |
The “Voter List” Controversy: A significant factor in this election is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The BJP alleges that the removal of nearly 6.18 million names statewide (with more under adjudication) will eliminate “illegal voters” and swing the result in their favor. Adhikari claims the TMC’s 58,000-vote cushion has already “evaporated” due to these revisions.
Local Sentiments vs. Political Narratives
Bhabanipur is a diverse constituency with significant Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Muslim populations.
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“Bengal’s Daughter”: TMC supporters are leaning heavily on the “own daughter” narrative, highlighting Banerjee’s long-standing connection to the neighborhood.
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“Job Politics”: There is a growing demand among urban voters for a shift from “dole politics” (welfare schemes) to “job politics” (industrial growth and employment).
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The “Outsider” Tag: The TMC has branded Adhikari an “outsider” to South Kolkata, while he countered by calling Banerjee a “defeated candidate” from their previous encounter.
Important Dates to Remember
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled the 2026 process as follows:
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Poll Date (Bhabanipur): April 29, 2026 (Phase II)
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Counting Day: May 4, 2026
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Nomination Deadline: April 9, 2026
