Five years after Mamata Banerjee secured a decisive third term, West Bengal’s political landscape has undergone notable shifts, marked by the consolidation of power, a recalibrating opposition, and a series of governance and corruption-related challenges.
2021 Mandate and Governance Approach
The 2021 Assembly election delivered a strong mandate to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), despite an aggressive campaign by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP emerged as the principal opposition, significantly expanding its footprint, while the Left Front and the Indian National Congress were pushed to the margins.
Since then, the TMC government has focused on expanding welfare initiatives, including schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Duare Sarkar, and student credit programmes, aimed at strengthening its connect with the electorate. However, this period has also been overshadowed by high-profile corruption investigations, notably the school recruitment scam and cases linked to municipal bodies. Several senior TMC leaders and ministers have faced arrest or questioning by central agencies, bringing allegations of corruption to the forefront of political discourse.
While the TMC has consistently maintained that these investigations are politically motivated, the BJP has used them to intensify its criticism of the state government, ensuring the issue remains prominent.
Opposition Dynamics: BJP and the Left
Following its rise in 2021, the BJP has faced organisational and electoral challenges in sustaining its momentum at the grassroots level. Analysts point to internal factionalism and leadership churn as factors affecting the party’s state unit, even as it continues to function as the primary opposition force.
In contrast, Left parties have sought a gradual revival through student activism, labour mobilisation, and issue-based campaigns. Although their electoral presence remains limited, their visibility has improved in select urban and academic spaces.
Centre–State Relations
Relations between the West Bengal government and the BJP-led central government have remained strained. Disputes over fund allocation, implementation of central schemes, and the role of investigative agencies have frequently escalated into political confrontations.
Despite these tensions, subsequent civic and local body elections have largely favoured the TMC, reinforcing its continued dominance at the grassroots level. However, intermittent gains by opposition parties suggest a political environment that, while uneven, remains competitive.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the state moves towards the next Assembly election, the TMC continues to hold a dominant position. The BJP remains the principal challenger, working to rebuild organisational strength, while the Left and Congress are attempting to regain relevance through issue-based politics.
West Bengal’s political trajectory continues to be shaped by a blend of welfare-driven governance, regional identity, and ideological contestation. The TMC has emphasised Bengali sub-nationalism alongside its social welfare agenda, whereas the BJP has focused on national narratives and issues of polarisation.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is also expected to play a significant role in the run-up to the elections. While its impact may be indirect, experts suggest it could influence voter perception and turnout, making it a politically sensitive factor in the evolving electoral landscape.
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