TMC releases full candidate list for Bengal polls; CM targets BJP, Election Commission
March 17, 2026: Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced the full 294-seat candidate list for the 2026 Assembly elections, marking a major political move by the Trinamool Congress. While unveiling the names, she launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission of India.
Addressing party workers and supporters, Banerjee said the election would be a “fight for the existence” of West Bengal. “Why are you afraid? Don’t create a gas crisis if you want to fight; come to the ground in a proper way,” she said, targeting the BJP. She also accused the Election Commission of playing a partisan role, adding, “BJP has no chance. This time your seats will decrease.”
The candidate list includes several prominent names across key constituencies such as Habra, Barrackpore, Bidhannagar, Rajarhat-Gopalpur, and Jangipur, among others. With this announcement, the TMC has become one of the first major parties to declare candidates for all seats, signalling an aggressive and early campaign strategy.
Banerjee expressed confidence that the party would retain power, asserting that “Bengal will win” and taking a swipe at national leadership with the remark, “Dilli ka laddu will not win.”
The announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in West Bengal, with the TMC aiming to counter the BJP’s challenge and consolidate its stronghold in the state.