The 38 TMC stronghold seats in South Bengal and Kolkata are a crucial test for the All India Trinamool Congress as it seeks to retain dominance.
A file photo of Mamata Banerjee (PTI)
The second phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections has turned the spotlight on 38 constituencies widely regarded as strongholds of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), testing whether the ruling party can retain its grip over its traditional bastions amid a spirited challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Polling in South Bengal and Kolkata, long seen as the political fortress of the TMC, is being viewed as a “litmus test” for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party.
These 38 seats form part of a cluster of urban and semi-urban constituencies where the TMC has historically enjoyed organisational depth and voter loyalty.
The phase covers key regions with dense electorates and politically decisive demographics, including urban “bhadralok” voters and minority-dominated belts.
TMC STRONGHOLDS IN WEST BENGAL
Below are the strongholds of the Trinamool Congress in Bengal.
- Naihati
- Maniktala
- Shyampukur
- Behala Purba
- Jagatdal
- Deganga
- Ashoknagar
- Khardaha
- Nayagram
- Baranagar
- Singur
- Bhabanipur
- Domjur
- Madhyamgram
- Baruipur Paschim
- Mandirbazar
- Haripal
- Shyampur
- Chowrangee
- Baruipur Purba
- Jagatballavpur
- Howrah Madhya
- Bagnan
- Entally
- Rashbehari
- Beleghata
- Shibpur
- Gopiballavpur
- Asansol Uttar
- Sonarpur Uttar
- Kashipur-Belgachia
- Amdanga
- Kolkata Port
- Daspur
- Medinipur
- Barbani
- Barasat
- Falta
HIGH-STAKES BATTLES IN URBAN HUBS
Several of these stronghold seats overlap with high-profile constituencies such as Bhabanipur, Tollyganj, Dum Dum, and Kolkata Port, all of which have historically leaned towards the TMC.
These areas have witnessed intense campaigning, with both parties framing the contest as crucial to shaping the state’s political trajectory.
The scale of this phase is massive, with over 3.21 crore voters and more than 1,400 candidates in the fray, making it one of the most decisive electoral exercises in the state’s history.
SECURITY, TURNOUT AND POLITICAL TEMPERATURE
Authorities have effectively turned these constituencies into high-security zones, deploying thousands of CAPF personnel and Quick Response Teams to prevent violence and ensure smooth polling.
Early morning queues and strong voter turnout indicate heightened public engagement despite concerns over alleged intimidation in some pockets, as flagged by opposition leaders.
For the TMC, retaining these 38 stronghold seats is critical to securing another term in power.
For the BJP, even marginal gains here could signal a structural shift in Bengal’s political landscape.
COMPARISON WITH 2021 RESULTS
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC delivered a dominant performance across this belt, winning 123 out of 142 seats in the region that includes these strongholds.
The BJP, despite emerging as the principal opposition statewide, struggled to make deep inroads into these specific urban and southern clusters.
Fast forward to 2026, and trends and campaign narratives suggest a tighter contest.
While the TMC is aiming to replicate its sweeping success, the BJP has intensified its outreach among urban voters and communities such as the Matuas, hoping to chip away at the ruling party’s dominance.
Read More
