Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 7, 2025, Kolkata : In a move that has stirred up political discussions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, BJP MLA Shuvendu Adhikari from Nandigram has decided to open a party office in Bhavanipur, a seat that was once considered a stronghold of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The office will be inaugurated on May 1, and a team of over 100 workers is being formed to gather critical information about the area. The development has raised questions about Shuvendu’s strategic focus on Bhavanipur, especially after his previous comments suggesting that Bhavanipur is a much safer seat for him than Nandigram.
The office will be located in ward number 73, which is a key part of the Bhavanipur assembly constituency. This area is also the Chief Minister’s own voting ward, adding to the significance of Shuvendu’s decision to set up a base there. Political observers have pointed out that Shuvendu’s focus on Bhavanipur indicates his preparations for a potential contest in the constituency in 2026.
Bhavanipur has traditionally been a stronghold for Mamata Banerjee, who has represented the constituency since becoming Chief Minister in 2011, except for a brief period during the 2021 Assembly elections. However, the dynamics have shifted following the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP showed significant progress in several wards of Bhavanipur. The BJP led in five out of the eight wards of the area, including wards 63, 70, 71, 72, and 74, while the Trinamool was ahead in wards 73, 77, and 82.
The BJP’s success in these wards, particularly in the ward where Mamata Banerjee is a voter, has fueled speculation about the competitiveness of Bhavanipur in the upcoming elections. In ward 73, the BJP was only 279 votes behind the Trinamool in the last Lok Sabha elections, further intensifying the political rivalry.
Shuvendu’s decision to open an office in a constituency that has long been Mamata Banerjee’s stronghold signals his growing interest in challenging her dominance in Bhavanipur. With less Muslim representation and a higher proportion of non-Bengali voters, Bhavanipur presents a unique opportunity for the BJP, particularly given the party’s strong showing in recent elections.
As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, all eyes will be on Bhavanipur to see whether Shuvendu can leverage his party’s momentum and make a serious challenge to Mamata Banerjee’s political fortress. The contest in Bhavanipur is expected to be a closely watched and highly contested battle, with both sides preparing for what could be a significant electoral showdown.