North Bengal votes amid SIR row and high-stakes political battle
The Statesman | 23 April 2026
Voters across eight districts of North Bengal are poised to exercise their democratic rights in the Assembly elections scheduled for 23 April. The electoral battle will determine the fate of candidates from major political parties, including the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) and the principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), across their respective constituencies.
North Bengal comprises 54 Assembly constituencies, stretching from Cooch Behar to Malda, including the hill segments of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong.
However, this time the Election Commission of India has put in place unprecedented arrangements for the polls, including the deployment of additional Central forces, extensive CCTV surveillance, and several other measures aimed at ensuring a fear-free election.
Despite these elaborate arrangements, election personnel assigned to polling duties have raised various complaints while casting their ballot papers ahead of polling day.
Allegations have also surfaced that, in some cases, votes meant for genuine voters were allegedly cast by others, raising concerns over the overall management of the process.
However, the elections are being held amid lingering discontent over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India under the supervision of the Supreme Court. A significant section of voters remains dissatisfied, as nearly 27 lakh names were still pending adjudication before tribunals. Many among them claim to be valid voters whose inclusion is yet to be finalised.
This incomplete revision process has cast a shadow on the electoral atmosphere, with political parties engaging in a blame game over the issue.
On 21 April, the final day of campaigning, Union home minister Amit Shah, addressing a gathering in Sukna, alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government had deliberately removed Gorkha voters from electoral rolls. In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused both the BJP and the Election Commission, asserting that had she not approached the Supreme Court, “32 lakh voters would not have received justice.”
Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mausam Noor, criticised the TMC, BJP, and the Election Commission alike, demanding that elections be deferred until the SIR process is completed accurately. The CPI-M also mounted sharp criticism against both ruling and opposition parties.
Despite the controversy, both Shah and Banerjee have assured that, if voted to power, their respective parties would ensure inclusion of all genuine voters currently left out of the rolls.
Political observers believe that the uncertainty surrounding nearly 27 lakh voters could influence electoral outcomes, potentially triggering resentment that may reflect in EVM results and affect both the TMC and BJP.
While Congress and the Left Front, particularly the CPI-M, are hopeful of opening their account in North Bengal after drawing a blank in 2021, the BJP and TMC are focused on retaining and expanding their respective tallies. In 2021, the BJP had secured a majority of seats in the region, though it later lost ground due to bypoll defeats and defections, with two MLAs switching to the TMC.
District-wise Political Landscape:
Cooch Behar (9 seats, 5 SC reserved):
In 2021, the BJP dominated with 7 seats, securing 49.5 per cent votes, while the TMC won 2 seats with 44.8 per cent. A notable contest saw then Union minister of state Nisith Pramanik defeat TMC’s Udayan Guha by just 57 votes. However, Guha reclaimed the seat in a bypoll with a record margin. This time, Pramanik is contesting from Mathabhanga (SC), and observers believe the TMC may recover some lost ground.
Alipurduar (5 seats):
The BJP swept all five seats in 2021 with nearly 50 per cent vote share. However, the TMC regained the Madarihat seat in a bypoll after the 2024 parliamentary elections. In Falakata, BJP’s Dipak Barman, who had earlier won by a narrow margin of 1.8 per cent, is again in the fray. Following a recent attack on him allegedly by TMC supporters, sympathy votes may work in his favour.
Jalpaiguri (7 seats):
With 2 ST and 4 SC reserved seats, the district saw the TMC win 3 seats in 2021 with around 43 per cent votes. The party later captured Dhupguri in a bypoll. The BJP is now aiming to reclaim Dhupguri and expand its tally by targeting seats like Rajganj and Jalpaiguri. Notably, the Jalpaiguri seat was won by the TMC by a slender margin of 0.4 per cent.
Kalimpong (1 seat):
The seat was won by Independent candidate Ruden Sada Lepcha in 2021, backed by regional forces. This time, he is contesting with support from the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha led by GTA Chief Anit Thapa, facing BJP’s Bharat Chetri, former captain of the Indian hockey team.
Darjeeling (5 seats):
The BJP had swept all seats here in 2021, including Siliguri and other Terai regions. In 2026, contests are expected to be tighter, especially in Siliguri, where TMC leader and Mayor Goutam Deb is challenging BJP MLA Dr. Sankar Ghosh. In Darjeeling, Ajoy Edwards has added a new dimension, making it a triangular contest alongside BJP-backed and regional candidates.
North Dinajpur (9 seats):
The TMC dominated in 2021, winning 7 seats with 53.3 per cent vote share, while the BJP secured 2. One BJP MLA from Raiganj later defected to the TMC.
South Dinajpur (6 seats):
The TMC and BJP were evenly matched in 2021, winning 3 seats each. The TMC secured 47.2 per cent votes, slightly ahead of BJP’s 43 per cent.
Malda (12 seats):
Traditionally a Congress stronghold, Malda witnessed a shift in 2021, with the TMC winning 8 seats and the BJP 4, including English Bazar. Congress failed to win any seat. Vote shares stood at 53 per cent for TMC, 32.8 per cent for BJP, 8.8 per cent for Congress, and 1.6 per cent for the Left.
In 2026, Congress is hopeful of a comeback, especially with former MP Mausam Noor rejoining the party and contesting from Malatipur. The BJP aims to expand its presence by targeting Manikchak and Baishnabnagar. A triangular contest is expected in several constituencies, including Gazole. The English Bazar seat has drawn particular attention, with CPI(M) veteran Ambar Mitra, backed by ISF, taking on TMC’s Asis Kundu and BJP’s Amlan Bhaduri in a highly polarised political environment.