TMC gains momentum in Bengal amid SIR fallout, updates Assam candidate slate

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) appears to be consolidating its position in West Bengal ahead of the assembly elections, while also actively shaping its strategy in Assam , reflecting a multi-state electoral push.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said that localized anti-incumbency in West Bengal has been largely obscured by the fallout of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), giving the party a distinct advantage over the BJP. “The BJP tried to use the SIR process to target Mamata Banerjee, but the strategy has backfired. Any local-level discontent has now been completely eclipsed by the controversy,” Ghose told PTI.

The journalist-turned-politician emphasized that Mamata Banerjee continues to enjoy unwavering support from her base, despite discontent among some local leaders who were dropped from the candidate list. In a strategic move, Banerjee announced 291 candidates on March 17, excluding 74 sitting MLAs , signaling a calculated effort to counter anti-incumbency at the constituency level. Ghose highlighted that the SIR exercise, which cast doubts on citizens including Nobel laureate Amartya Sen , former chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty , and cricketer Richa Ghosh , has created a state-wide anti-BJP wave.

“Mamata remains the state’s most trusted leader. People turn to her in times of need, and she always delivers,” Ghose said. She hailed Banerjee as a “political phenomenon unique in South Asia” and praised her efforts to elevate women in politics, ensure 30% women representation in TMC , and push for laws like the Aparajita Bill to strengthen women’s safety.

Meanwhile, TMC is also actively preparing for Assam’s assembly elections , announcing its second list of candidates on Sunday. The list names Sherman Ali Ahmed , a Congress MLA from Mandia, as the party’s nominee after he was denied a ticket by the Raijor Dal, a member of the six-party opposition alliance in Assam. In a strategic adjustment, the party withdrew the candidature of its state senior vice-president, Dulu Ahmed, from Chamaria , signaling a recalibration of its electoral approach in the state.

Other nominees in Assam’s second list include Rojy Ahmed (Hajo-Sualkuchi), Avijit Mazumdar (Guwahati Central), Inus Kumar Kandan (Chabua-Lahowal), Paresh Borah (Mariani) , Parimal Ranjan Roy (Karimganj North), and Aziz Ahmed Khan (Karimganj South). Combined with the first list of 11 candidates, the party has so far finalized nominees for 17 seats .

The Assam Assembly elections , for 126 seats, are scheduled on April 9 , with votes to be counted on May 4 .

By leveraging both the political fallout of the Special Intensive Revision in Bengal and a carefully curated candidate strategy in Assam, TMC appears poised to maintain and expand its regional influence, presenting a formidable challenge to rival parties in both states.