In West Bengal's Mathabhanga (Scheduled Caste) constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Nisith Pramanik emerged victorious by a margin of 57,090 votes. Pramanik secured 1,43,340 votes, while his nearest rival, Sablu Barman of the Trinamool Congress, received 86,250 votes. Khitendra Nath Barman of the Congress also contested but finished a distant third.
Constituency Background
Mathabhanga is a Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency located in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. The seat has historically seen strong competition between the BJP and TMC. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the constituency was won by Sushil Barman of the BJP, who defeated his TMC opponent by a decisive margin of 26,382 votes. That victory reflected the broader surge of the BJP in several north Bengal constituencies during the 2021 elections.
Key Issues and Local Economy
The Mathabhanga constituency is predominantly rural, with agriculture serving as the backbone of the local economy. Voters have consistently raised concerns about crop prices, irrigation facilities, and protection against flood-related losses. Employment opportunities for the youth remain limited, leading to migration to urban centers. Infrastructure demands, including better roads, improved public transport, and reliable electricity, continue to shape voter expectations. Access to healthcare and educational institutions is also a significant factor influencing electoral outcomes.
Election Details
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 this phase. The high turnout indicates strong voter engagement and the importance of this constituency in the state's political landscape.
This victory reinforces the BJP's presence in north Bengal, while the TMC faces a setback in a seat it had hoped to reclaim. The results are part of the broader 2026 West Bengal Assembly election trends, which also saw significant developments in other states like Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.
