KOLKATA — The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) officially released its candidate list for 291 seats on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, signaling the start of a high-stakes battle for the West Bengal Assembly. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed she will once again contest from her traditional stronghold of Bhabanipur, ending speculation about a potential move to other high-profile constituencies.
Projecting a “sweeping victory,” the Chief Minister asserted that the TMC is on track to secure more than 226 seats in the upcoming elections, framing the contest as a fight for the “identity” (astitva) of West Bengal against the BJP.
Diversity and Social Representation
The 2026 list highlights a significant push toward inclusive representation, with nearly half of the candidates drawn from specialized social and minority groups:
| Group | Number of Candidates |
| Scheduled Castes & Tribes (SC/ST) | 95 |
| Women | 52 |
| Minority Communities | 47 |
Key Nominations and Strategy
The party has retained several of its heavyweights to anchor critical urban and rural zones:
-
Firhad Hakim: Nominated from Kolkata Port, maintaining his role as a key organizational pillar in the city.
-
Shashi Panja: Contesting from Shyampukur.
-
Kunal Ghosh: Fielded from Beleghata.
-
Sirsanya Bandopadhyay: Nominated for the Uttarpara seat.
During the press briefing, Mamata Banerjee dismissed the BJP’s electoral challenge, predicting that the opposition’s seat tally would actually decline compared to the previous assembly election. “This is a fight for the identity of West Bengal,” she told reporters, emphasizing a campaign rooted in regional pride and social welfare.
