The Raina assembly constituency in West Bengal is set to witness a high-stakes electoral battle in the 2026 assembly elections. Among the prominent candidates are Mandira Dalui of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Anik Saha of the Indian National Congress (INC), both vying to represent this key seat in the state legislature.
Key Candidates and Their Parties
Mandira Dalui, the TMC nominee, is seeking to retain the seat for the ruling party, which has held Raina since 2011. Anik Saha represents the Congress, which is hoping to regain ground in the region. Other candidates include nominees from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left Front, though their names have not been finalized yet.
Constituency Profile
Raina is located in the Bardhaman district and has a mixed demographic of rural and semi-urban voters. Agriculture and small-scale industries form the economic backbone. The seat has a significant Scheduled Caste (SC) population, making caste dynamics an important factor. In the 2021 assembly elections, TMC's Shankar Chakraborty won by a margin of over 20,000 votes against BJP's Manjul Krishna Thakur.
Election Schedule and Voting
The Election Commission of India has announced that voting for the Raina seat will take place in a single phase, likely in April or May 2026. The date will be confirmed closer to the polls. Counting of votes is expected on the same day as the other West Bengal assembly constituencies.
Key Issues
Campaigning has focused on local development, including road infrastructure, irrigation facilities, and employment opportunities. The TMC government's welfare schemes, such as 'Lakshmir Bhandar' and 'Kanyashree,' are being highlighted by Dalui, while Saha is criticizing the state government on issues of corruption and law and order.
Voter turnout in Raina has historically been high, with over 80% polling in the last two elections. The 2026 contest is expected to be closely watched as a bellwether for the broader political mood in West Bengal.
Live Updates
For real-time updates on vote counting, candidate statements, and constituency-wise trends, stay tuned to this page. Results will be declared after the counting process, which begins at 8 AM on the designated day.
