- By Shubham Bajpai
- Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In the ongoing West Bengal elections, the 11 assembly seats in the capital, Kolkata, are considered the center of state politics. These seats are crucial not just in terms of numbers, but also in shaping political messaging and the urban mood. In the last two assembly elections, 2016 and 2021, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has won all 11 seats in Kolkata with impressive victories.
This time, the Bharatiya Janata Party has put in all its efforts to break this gap and ensure victory. The mix of upper and middle class voters, slum dwellers, minority communities, and the working class in these constituencies complicates the electoral outcome.
Administratively, the Election Commission of India has divided these 11 seats into two districts: North Kolkata and South Kolkata.
High-profile Bhawanipur battle
Bhawanipur, the home and traditional constituency of Chief Minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, makes the area even more politically significant.
This time, the high-profile Bhawanipur seat is witnessing a closely contested fight, with Mamata Banerjee’s former ally and Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, contesting on behalf of the BJP. The entire country is watching this seat.
BJP has increased its penetration after 2019
The BJP has increased its presence in urban areas since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and the impact is visible in these seats as well. The 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a significant rise in the BJP’s vote share across several Kolkata constituencies.
The biggest issue in these 11 seats is outdated urban infrastructure. Many areas still operate drainage systems that are over 100 years old, making waterlogging a common problem every monsoon. Dense and growing populations, outdated road infrastructure, traffic congestion, parking problems, and pollution are also major concerns. Employment and the condition of small businesses remain key issues, with young people appearing unhappy with the lack of private sector opportunities.
Political equation
The Trinamool Congress relies heavily on its women’s vote bank and minority support, with schemes like Lakshmi Bhandaar showing visible impact. Meanwhile, the BJP is contesting on issues such as poor urban infrastructure, increasing infiltration, and migration.
The Left Front and Congress are also attempting to regain their traditional vote banks, but they appear to lag behind the Trinamool Congress and BJP in terms of organizational strength.
Interesting seat-by-seat contest
Social diversity is clearly visible across Kolkata’s 11 constituencies. Minority votes play a decisive role in Kolkata Port, Chowringhee, Entally, and Shyampukur. Upper middle class, Gujarati-Marwari, and Hindi-speaking voters are influential in Bhawanipur and Ballygunge; educated voters dominate Rasbihari and Beleghata; businessmen and Hindi-speaking voters are key in Jorasanko; laborers are prominent in Kashipur; while Maniktala has a mixed middle-class population.
Hindi-speaking voters hold influence
Hindi-speaking voters also have significant influence in several constituencies. Their role is considered most decisive in Jorasanko, Shyampukur, Kashipur-Belgachhia, and Chowringhee, especially in older commercial areas. They are also present in pockets across Bhawanipur, Ballygunge, Rasbihari, Beleghata, and Maniktala.