In West Bengal's Mekliganj constituency, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Dadhiram Roy emerged victorious by a margin of 29,584 votes, securing 1,19,109 votes against Trinamool Congress candidate Paresh Chandra Adhikary who received 89,525 votes. The seat, reserved for Scheduled Castes, is located in the Cooch Behar district of northern West Bengal.
Key Candidates and Previous Results
The 2026 election witnessed a three-cornered contest with Paresh Chandra Adhikary of the Trinamool Congress, Dadhiram Roy of the BJP, and Ila Rani Roy of the Congress as the main contenders. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the seat was won by Paresh Chandra Adhikary of the TMC, who defeated his nearest rival from the BJP by a margin of 14,685 votes. That result indicated a clear but not overwhelming lead, underlining the constituency's status as a closely watched battleground rather than a safe stronghold.
Constituency Profile and Key Issues
Mekliganj comprises a mix of semi-urban and rural areas in northern West Bengal, with agriculture, small trade, and cross-border economic activity shaping local livelihoods. Key issues include employment opportunities for young voters, infrastructure gaps such as road conditions, drainage, and drinking water supply, as well as access to healthcare and educational facilities. Farmers frequently raise demands related to crop prices, irrigation support, and rural welfare schemes.
Voter Turnout and Election Phase
The constituency went to polls on April 23, as part of Phase 1 of the West Bengal assembly elections. Cooch Behar district recorded a voter turnout of 96.2%, the highest among all districts in the phase, reflecting strong voter engagement.
