KOLKATA: As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, the Sandeshkhali constituency in North 24 Parganas district has emerged as a political hotspot. This Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved seat, nestled in the Sundarbans delta, is drawing intense scrutiny due to its turbulent history and recent upheavals.
Geographically, Sandeshkhali is a watery expanse of rivers like Raimangal and Bidyadhari, where fishing and farming sustain livelihoods amid constant threats of floods and saline intrusion. The area comprises Sandeshkhali-I and II community development blocks, fully rural with no urban voters. Around 2.5 lakh registered voters, predominantly Scheduled Castes followed by STs and Muslims, turn out in high numbers, though slightly dipping lately.
Politically, it was a Left bastion for decades, with CPI(M) dominating 10 wins, including eight straight from 1977 to 2011. Congress notched four victories early on. The tide turned in 2016 when TMC’s Sukumar Mahata trounced the incumbent, holding the seat in 2021. BJP, meanwhile, climbed from marginal shares to second place in 2021 and even led in the recent Lok Sabha polls here.
But January 2024 changed everything. Violence erupted during Enforcement Directorate raids, exposing allegations of corruption and serious crimes against local TMC leaders. Public outrage simmered, tarnishing the ruling party’s image and shifting the ground beneath them.
Analysts predict BJP could capitalize on this discontent, especially among SC/ST communities where it’s expanding nationally. Left-Congress alliances remain weak but could sway outcomes. With TMC and BJP neck-and-neck on paper, Sandeshkhali isn’t just a seat—it’s a referendum on governance, violence, and voter sentiment ahead of 2026.