In the heart of Kolkata’s southern fringes, Behala Purba assembly constituency has long been a bastion of Trinamool Congress (TMC) dominance. But recent electoral trends reveal a dramatic shift as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rapidly climbs the vote share ladder in this key general category seat under Kolkata South Lok Sabha area.
Administratively part of South 24 Parganas district despite its urban Kolkata vibe, Behala Purba encompasses 11 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Its political history stretches back to 1951, with early dominance by Left parties. The All India Forward Bloc won in 1952, followed by CPI victories in 1957 and 1962. From 1967 to 2006, CPI(M) clinched nine out of 11 elections, a streak broken briefly by Congress in 1972.
TMC entered the fray strongly in 2001 and solidified control post-2011, sweeping victories in 2011, 2016, and 2021. Sovan Chatterjee defeated Kumkum Chakraborty by 48,173 votes in 2011. The margin narrowed to 24,294 votes in 2016 against independent Ambikesh Mahapatra. In 2021, Ratna Chatterjee overcame BJP’s Payel Sarkar by 37,428 votes.
Yet, BJP’s ascent is undeniable. Their vote share leaped from a meager 1.91% in 2011 to 10.71% in 2016 and a robust 33.15% in 2021. This momentum carried into Lok Sabha polls: TMC led with 43.90% (89,341 votes) in 2019 against BJP’s 36.10% (73,483 votes), and in 2024, TMC’s 45.15% (97,125 votes) edged BJP’s 38.07% (81,899 votes). The CPI(M)-Congress alliance garnered 14.17%.
With 313,669 registered voters in 2024—including 10.16% SC and 3.80% Muslim—this 90.35% urban seat shows declining turnout, from 73.83% in 2016 to 68.59% in 2024. Behala Purba thrives on small businesses, retail, and services along Diamond Harbour Road, boasting excellent metro, rail, and road links. Neighborhoods like Joka, Thakurpukur, and Taratala buzz with markets and eateries, supported by strong education and healthcare.
As BJP eyes a two-thirds majority against TMC’s 14-year rule, the absence of Congress in the alliance could split anti-TMC votes, heightening the stakes in this evolving battleground.