Former India footballer Dipendu Biswas rejoins TMC ahead of Bengal Assembly polls

Former India footballer and ex-MLA Dipendu Biswas formally rejoined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday, marking a significant development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for March-April 2026 . Speaking at the party’s Basirhat district office , Biswas described his brief stint with the BJP as driven by “emotional factors” and reaffirmed his commitment to TMC.

Biswas, who represented Basirhat Dakshin in the 2016 Assembly elections and was a renowned footballer for top Kolkata clubs during the 1990s and 2000s, had left the TMC before the 2021 polls after being denied a ticket and briefly joined the BJP. “I never really worked for the BJP. I joined them out of hurt feelings, but that association lasted very briefly. Had I ever been seen in any BJP programme?” he told reporters.

Political observers say such high-profile defections can have a notable impact on local political equations , particularly in constituencies like Basirhat Dakshin, where party loyalty among voters is fluid. Biswas’ celebrity status and prior electoral experience make him a valuable asset for TMC’s campaign strategy, especially in mobilising supporters and energising grassroots workers.

Sunday also saw a group of leaders and workers from the Congress, CPI(M), and BJP , including a block-level Congress functionary from Basirhat, joining the TMC. These moves reflect broader pre-election realignments , a familiar feature in West Bengal politics where party switching has often reshaped electoral contests. Rival parties have been quick to note these shifts, with leaders warning of potential consolidation of TMC influence in traditionally competitive pockets.

Biswas’ return came a day after CPI(M) state committee member Pratikur Rahaman joined TMC in the presence of national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee , highlighting the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local leadership and consolidate support. Analysts suggest that the influx of former opponents and celebrity candidates can sway undecided voters, influence campaign narratives, and enhance TMC’s voter mobilisation strategy in key constituencies.

Biswas’ political journey, which includes a narrow loss in the 2014 Basirhat Dakshin bypoll followed by a win in 2016, illustrates the fluidity of party allegiances in West Bengal , where personal reputation and local connect often outweigh party labels. His re-entry underscores TMC’s focus on leveraging experienced and high-profile figures to boost its electoral prospects as the state heads into a fiercely contested Assembly election.