In the bustling urban landscape of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, Khardaha assembly constituency stands as a testament to shifting political tides. For decades, this seat was a bastion of the Left Front, particularly the CPI(M), which dominated elections with unwavering voter support regardless of the ruling party in the state. That changed dramatically in 2011 when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) wrested control, turning it into one of their fortified strongholds.
Nestled on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, Khardaha is a vibrant municipality under the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. Originally part of South Barrackpore and West Barrackpore municipalities established in 1877, it evolved into its own entity with the South Barrackpore municipality renamed Khardaha in 1920. The Siyaldah-Ranaghat rail line bisects the town, separating Rahara in the east from Khardaha proper in the west. Efficient bus connectivity links it to Kolkata’s Esplanade, Howrah Station, and Barrackpore, making it a key commuter hub.
Bounded by Titagarh to the north, Patulia and Bandipur to the east, Panihati to the south, and the Hooghly River to the west, Khardaha boasts a dense urban population. Religious sites like the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Ras Mandir/Shyamsundar Temple, and the Ramakrishna Mission Balak Sangha in Rahara draw hordes of devotees, especially during the famous annual fair.
Politically, Khardaha has seen 17 assembly elections since its inception. The Left held sway for nearly 60 years until TMC’s breakthrough in 2011. In 2021, Kajal Sinha secured victory for TMC, but a by-election later that year saw Sovan Dev Chattopadhyay take the seat. As 2026 approaches, TMC faces stiff competition. BJP eyes its first win here, Congress seeks a breakthrough, and CPI(M) is mounting a fierce comeback bid. This multi-cornered contest has Mamata Banerjee’s party on edge, promising a high-stakes battle in this strategic urban pocket.