West Bengal Assembly Election: With just weeks remaining in the West Bengal Assembly election, all the major political parties have intensified their campaigns to lure in the voters. Out of the total 296 Assembly constituencies, the focus will be on 57 seats, which are likely to emerge as a key battleground for the ruling TMC and the major opposition party, BJP. Earlier in the 2021 Assembly election, the fate of candidates in these seats was decided by less than 8,000 votes.

As per the data of the Election Commission of India (ECI), while 29 of these seats were won by Mamata Banerjee's TMC, the BJP managed to register victory on 28 seats. Among these closely contested constituencies, the margin of victory on 19 seats was less than 3,000 votes, with the saffron party winning 12 and TMC 7 seats.

ALSO READ: US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: IRGC Tightens Strait Of Hormuz Blockade; PM Modi Holds Review Meet With Chief Ministers

The bulk of these seats are from the southern region of the state where the ruling party has dominated in the recent polls. While 47 of these seats are in South Bengal, 10 are in the northern belt, giving BJP an edge. A major chunk of these seats lies in the western districts, including Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Paschim Bardhaman.

However, the equation is likely to change this time as former TMC member Humayun Kabir has announced an alliance with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM. Kabir was expelled from the TMC after announcing a Babri Mosque in Bengal without informing the top brass of the party. His rallies in the recent weeks have witnessed huge crowds of Muslims, suggesting the core voter base of the ruling party could split in some of the seats.

Apart from this, the recently conducted Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is also likely to affect the results in case of close contests.

ALSO READ: 'Strait Of Hormuz ‘Closed': IRGC Warns Of Harsh Response As Trump Rallies Global Support To Reopen Key Route

"The 57 seats with a thin margin can sway either side. We are trying our best. If there is a close contest, these seats will decide who comes to power or whether we can retain power in Bengal," a senior TMC leader was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

The West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.