Mamata Reshuffles TMC List, Eyes Fourth Term
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Kolkata
- Mar 17, 2026
- 584
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday unveiled candidates for 291 out of 294 seats in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, allocating the remaining three seats to its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a major reshuffle, Banerjee denied tickets to 74 sitting MLAs—nearly one-third of the party’s legislators—while also changing constituencies for 15 others. She confirmed that she will contest from Bhabanipur, where she is set to face BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who had defeated her in Nandigram during the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021.
Taking a direct swipe at the BJP, Banerjee accused the party of creating artificial crises, stating, “If you want to fight, don’t create a gas crisis. Come to the field and fight properly.”
Candidate Strategy Shift
The TMC has notably reduced its reliance on celebrity candidates this time. While 15 celebrities were fielded in 2021, only two have been given tickets in 2026, reflecting a shift toward grassroots leadership.
The party’s candidate list highlights social representation and youth inclusion:
Stakes for Mamata Banerjee
Having already served three consecutive terms, Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth straight victory. If successful, she would become the first woman in India to serve four consecutive terms as Chief Minister.
For comparison, J. Jayalalithaa holds the record for serving as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times, though not consecutively between 1991 and 2016.
With the BJP emerging as the principal challenger, the 2026 election is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest that could redefine West Bengal’s political landscape.