Congress to Independently Contest All 294 West Bengal Assembly Seats in 2026

The Indian National Congress has decided to contest the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections independently on all 294 seats, foregoing an alliance with the Left front. The decision reflects a significant political move amid ongoing preparation by the BJP, highlighting the high-stakes political climate in West Bengal.

The Indian National Congress announced it will contest the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections independently, competing for all 294 seats, thus rejecting an alliance with the Left front. This decision was announced by West Bengal Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir after a strategic party meeting focused on state electoral strategies.

Mir emphasized that the choice to contest independently aligns with the preferences of party workers and cadre in West Bengal. The national leadership has thrown its support behind the state leadership's decision, leading to a consensus that Congress will tackle the elections alone, in a state where political tensions are running high.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also finalizing its strategy for the elections. BJP National President Nitin Nabin conducted a meeting with West Bengal MPs, addressing constituency-specific issues and organizational concerns. The BJP has also appointed individuals to oversee campaigns in key constituencies, underscoring the competitive nature of the upcoming polls.

(With inputs from agencies.)