BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari to Take on Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur: A High-Stakes Contest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed confidence that her party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), will sweep the 2026 Assembly elections with a two-third majority. “We don’t need anyone’s help. We will fight alone and win alone,” Banerjee said at a meeting with TMC legislators.

The TMC has already kick-started its campaign, with Banerjee launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying “boycott BJP” and urging people to unite against the party.

The election is shaping up to be a high-stakes contest between TMC and BJP, with the BJP announcing its first list of 144 candidates, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who is likely to take on Banerjee in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur seat.

The Election Commission has announced a two-phase poll schedule for April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4. Opinion polls suggest TMC may make a comeback, winning between 155-170 seats, while BJP is expected to surge, winning 100-115 seats.