Kolkata, 18 March (H.S.): The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has fielded 47 Muslim candidates in its list for the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, a move political observers believe is aimed at consolidating the party’s support among minority voters. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee released the party’s list of candidates on Tuesday evening.

According to the 2011 Census, Muslims constitute about 27 percent of West Bengal’s total population. The community is considered electorally significant in nearly 75 Assembly constituencies where minority voters are believed to play a decisive role. In addition, their presence is regarded as influential in around 50 other seats across the state.

Sources indicate that the TMC has taken these social and electoral factors into account while nominating 47 Muslim candidates out of the 291 constituencies where it has announced nominees.

In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) first list of candidates does not include any Muslim nominees, a point that the TMC is expected to highlight during its election campaign.

Minority voters are considered particularly influential in several constituencies in Murshidabad and Malda districts. Besides these, parts of North and South 24 Parganas and Uttar Dinajpur are also known for having a significant minority electorate capable of influencing electoral outcomes.

Political analysts believe the TMC is attempting to further consolidate its traditional minority support base through this candidate selection strategy and is likely to emphasise this aspect during the campaign as it seeks electoral advantage.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh