BJP Reveals Second Candidate List for West Bengal Assembly Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially announced its second list of candidates for the West Bengal Assembly elections, revealing the names of 112 candidates. This announcement was made on March 19, 2026, and includes three former Members of Parliament, highlighting the party's strategy to leverage experienced leaders in the election campaign ahead of the polls scheduled for April 23 and April 29.

Among the significant candidates is the mother of Abhaya, a victim of a high-profile crime in Kolkata in August 2024. She has expressed her intention to contest for the Panihati seat in North 24 Parganas district. In statements made to the media, she vowed to defeat the ruling Trinamool Congress government, suggesting that bringing down the current government would serve justice for her daughter. Previously, the tragic incident sparked widespread protests and became a focal point for opposition criticism of the Mamata Banerjee government during its third term.

In the initial candidate list disclosed on March 16, 2026, the BJP had named 144 candidates. The latest list includes 111 new nominations alongside a change in one existing candidate, which further demonstrates the party's adaptability in its electoral strategy. The BJP has also revised its candidate for the Bishnupur Assembly seat, although details were not specified.

Key figures among the latest appointments include Rupa Ganguly, a former Rajya Sabha member, contesting from Sonarpur South, and Arjun Singh, standing from Noapara in North 24 Parganas. Nisith Pramanik is the party's candidate for the Mathabhanga seat in Cooch Behar district. Additional notable candidates include advocate Koustav Bagchi from Barrackpore and lawyer Tarunjyoti Tiwari from Rajarhat Gopalpur, both representing areas within North 24 Parganas.

The BJP is also sticking with established figures for pivotal constituencies, such as fielding Ritesh Tewari from Belgachia Kashipur in Kolkata. Heavyweight candidates, including Tapas Roy, the party's West Bengal vice president, have been designated to contest from the Maniktala seat, while Vijay Ojha, a city councillor, will run from Jorasanko.

Moreover, Rekha Patra, a prominent woman leader associated with the Sandeshkhali movement, is set to represent the party in Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas. Other candidates include Indranil Khan, a prominent BJP youth leader, who is contesting from Behala Paschim, and Dibyendu Adhikari, brother of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who is running from Egra in Purba Medinipur district.

Actor-turned-politician Hiran Chatterjee will run from Shyampur in Howrah, having vacated his previous Kharagpur Sadar seat for senior party member Dilip Ghosh. The BJP has also aimed to consolidate its support in the Matua-dominated areas by nominating three sitting MLAs: Ashok Kirtania from Bongaon Uttar, Swapan Majumdar from Bangaon South, and Subrata Thakur from Gaighata, all located within North 24 Parganas. Additionally, Devdas Mandal, a former Bongaon district president and municipal councillor, has been named the party's candidate for Habra.

As the election campaigns intensify in the upcoming weeks, the BJP’s strategic selection of candidates illustrates its focus on both experienced leaders and local representation to enhance its electoral prospects in West Bengal.