Political activity in West Bengal has intensified ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) reportedly preparing a significant reshuffle in its candidate list.
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After securing a hat-trick victory in 2021, the party is now aiming for a fourth consecutive term. According to party sources, the top leadership is considering introducing new faces in the 78 constituencies where the TMC lost in the last Assembly elections. The proposed revamp may also see the exclusion of several heavyweight MLAs and ministers.
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Several key constituencies in Kolkata are at the centre of the speculation. Sources indicate that former minister Partha Chatterjee, accused in the teacher recruitment corruption case, is unlikely to be fielded again from Behala West. A local councillor with a clean image is reportedly being considered as a replacement.
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In Barasat, actor-turned-MLA Chiranjit Chakraborty is said to be unwilling to contest again, paving the way for Sabyasachi Dutta to emerge as a possible candidate.
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A reshuffle is also being discussed for Ballygunge and Uttarpara. Babul Supriyo, who won the Ballygunge by-election, may be shifted to Uttarpara, his home turf. In that scenario, senior minister Shobhandeb Chatterjee could contest from Ballygunge. This could leave current Uttarpara MLA Kanchan Mallick without a ticket.
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In Maheshtala, senior MLA Dulal Das is expected to step aside due to age, with former footballer Manas Bhattacharyaโs name doing the rounds as a potential candidate. Meanwhile, speculation continues around Ratna Chatterjee in Behala East, though she is likely to retain her seat.
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The party is also said to be reviewing the candidature of Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra, considering either shifting him to Khardah or fielding an alternative candidate due to health and age factors.
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Among youth and student leaders, Debangshu Bhattacharya may be fielded from a seat in Hooghly or Howrah, while TMCโs student wing president Trinankur Bhattacharya is likely to contest from North 24 Parganas. There are also reports that Pratik Ur Rahman, formerly associated with the CPI(M), could be given responsibility to contest against Naushad Siddiqui in the politically sensitive Bhangar constituency.
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In North Kolkata, internal discussions reportedly include changes in two to three seats. Sandipan Saha, son of MLA Swarna Kamal Saha, may step aside at his fatherโs request. Additionally, uncertainty surrounds the candidature of an MLA from a Hindi-speaking belt in North Kolkata, with speculation that a family member of a former legislator could be fielded instead.
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Though these discussions remain speculative, party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to take the final call on ticket distribution. Political observers say the proposed induction of new faces in 78 seats signals a strategic recalibration by the TMC as it prepares for a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026.