The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) and other constituents of the Left-Front have released their candidate list for the first phase of the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, outlining key contenders across several constituencies. The announcement signals the party’s early electoral strategy as it seeks to strengthen its presence in crucial battleground seats. With a mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces, the list highlights constituencies where the Left hopes to mount a strong challenge against rivals, making these candidates the ones to watch in the opening phase of the polls.
Several prominent leaders have been fielded from key constituencies. Senior CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya will contest from Jadavpur, while Mayukh Biswas has been nominated from Dum Dum. CPI(M) has also fielded Sayan Banerjee from Maheshtala and Minakshi Mukherjee from Uttarpara. Student leader Dipsita Dhar will contest from Dum Dum Uttar.
The candidate list covers constituencies across North Bengal, South Bengal and Kolkata, with nominees from CPI(M), CPI, RSP, AIFB and other Left Front partners.
Key candidates in major constituencies
In North Bengal, CPI(M) has fielded Sharadindu Chakraborty from Siliguri, while AIFB's Bikash Mondal will contest from Dinhata. CPI(M)'s Nabadipti Adhikary has been nominated from Sitalkuchi, and Pranay Karji from Coochbehar Uttar.
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In South Bengal and Kolkata, the Left Front has nominated several senior leaders. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya has been fielded from Jadavpur, while student leader Mayukh Biswas will contest from Dum Dum. Another SFI leader, Dipsita Dhar, will fight from Dum Dum Uttar, and Minakshi Mukherjee has been nominated from Uttarpara. Sayan Banerjee will contest from Maheshtala.
Other candidates in key constituencies include Faiyaz Khan from Kolkata Port, Rajinder Gupta from Kashipur-Belgachhia, and Soumyajit Raha from Bidhannagar.
Wide representation across districts
The list includes candidates for several seats across districts such as Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Birbhum.
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Among other notable nominations, CPI(M)'s Simanta Chatterjee will contest from Durgapur Purba, and Pravas Sain from Durgapur Paschim. In Asansol Dakshin, CPI(M) has fielded Shilpi Chakraborty, while AIFB's Bhabani Acharya will contest from Kulti.
However, CPI(M) leader Shatarup Ghosh was not named the candidate from Kasba, unlike the last three elections. Veteran party leader Dipu Das has replaced him as the candidate.
The Left Front said the candidate selection was made after discussions within the alliance partners and based on organisational strength in different constituencies. More names are expected to be announced in the coming days as the election process progresses.
