Congress to Reveal Bengal Assembly Candidates in Three Stages
Synopsis
The Congress party is set to announce candidates for West Bengal's Assembly elections in three phases, marking a significant strategic shift as they break ties with former allies. Get ready for the first list featuring key party figures!
Key Takeaways
The Congress party will announce candidates in three phases.
The first list may include around 100 candidates, featuring prominent party members.
The party has ended its alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front.
No electoral collaboration with Trinamool Congress for upcoming elections.
Decisions are based on recommendations from local party committees.
Kolkata, March 11 (NationPress) The Congress party is poised to unveil its candidates for the upcoming elections across 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal in three distinct phases, guided by the insights of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC).
In the initial list, expected to be released soon, approximately 100 candidates will be named, featuring several prominent figures from the party. Suvankar Sarkar, the state Congress president, has traveled to New Delhi this evening to finalize the names for this first list after consultations with the All India Congress Committee, as revealed by a WBPCC source who chose to remain anonymous.
This first list may include notable names such as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a former state Congress president and five-time Lok Sabha member representing the Baharampur constituency in Murshidabad district.
Additionally, the list is likely to feature Mausam Benazir Noor, a former Congress Lok Sabha member and ex-Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member, who has recently exited the Trinamool Congress and resigned from the Rajya Sabha to rejoin the Congress.
For this election cycle, the Congress has opted to end its electoral alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which had been active since the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections and persisted through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party will contest independently in all 294 Assembly constituencies.
Moreover, any form of electoral collaboration with the Trinamool Congress has been ruled out for the upcoming Assembly elections.
According to the WBPCC insider, the party’s leadership is increasingly relying on the recommendations from the WBPCC regarding election strategies, including the candidate selection process. The decision to contest independently was also formulated based on feedback from the WBPCC, derived from discussions with various district committees across West Bengal.
Point of View
The Congress party's decision to contest independently in West Bengal reflects a strategic shift aimed at reclaiming its influence in the state. By relying on local insights and breaking previous alliances, the party is positioning itself for a fresh start in the upcoming elections.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Congress announce its candidates for West Bengal Assembly elections?
The Congress is expected to announce candidates in three phases, starting soon with the first list of approximately 100 candidates.
Who are some of the prominent candidates expected to be included?
The initial list may feature well-known figures such as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mausam Benazir Noor.
Has the Congress party formed any alliances for these elections?
No, the Congress has decided to contest independently, severing previous ties with the CPI(M)-led Left Front and ruling out collaboration with the Trinamool Congress.
What factors influenced the Congress's decision to contest independently?
The decision was significantly shaped by recommendations from the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee after consultations with various district committees.
How many Assembly constituencies will the Congress contest in West Bengal?
The Congress will contest all 294 Assembly constituencies in the state.
