Congress Faces Political Oblivion in West Bengal as BJP Sets Sights on State
The Bharatiya Janata Party has clearly marked West Bengal as its next major political target. This declaration follows the party's decisive victory in Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comments about the Ganga river highlighted the BJP's growing confidence. The party now aims to expand its influence well beyond its traditional Hindi heartland strongholds.
Congress Shrinks Dramatically in Toughening Bengal Landscape
The Congress party's dismal performance in Bihar has sparked fresh concerns about its national significance. In West Bengal, the situation appears even more dire. The party finds itself trapped between two powerful forces. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress dominates the state politically. Meanwhile, the BJP continues its remarkable ascent across Bengal.
This political squeeze creates an existential threat for Congress ahead of the crucial 2026 elections. The party must confront a harsh reality. Its organizational structure has weakened considerably over the past decade. Voter support has steadily drifted away to other political formations.
From Meaningful Ally to Political Irrelevance
Congress once played a significant role in Bengal politics. Back in 2011, the party served as a key ally during Mamata Banerjee's rise to power. It secured forty-two seats in the state assembly during that period. The party maintained considerable influence in regions like Malda and Murshidabad.
That influence has completely evaporated over the following years. The organizational decline became increasingly apparent. Voters gradually shifted their allegiance to other parties. By 2021, Congress reached its lowest point in Bengal's political history.
The 2021 Assembly Election Disaster
The 2021 state election delivered a devastating blow to Congress. The party contested ninety-two seats across Bengal. It failed to win a single constituency. The vote share plummeted to just three percent. Former strongholds slipped away almost overnight.
Both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP absorbed the political contest completely. They left no space for Congress to operate. The principal opposition space, once eyed by Congress, now belongs firmly to the BJP.
BJP's Meteoric Rise Transforms Bengal Politics
The BJP's growth in Bengal has been nothing short of dramatic. The party held only three assembly seats in 2016. It captured eighteen Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 national elections. The 2021 state elections saw the BJP win seventy-seven assembly constituencies.
This rapid expansion has fundamentally reshaped Bengal's political landscape. The BJP now positions itself as the main alternative to Mamata Banerjee's government. It has effectively replaced Congress as the primary opposition force.
Mamata Banerjee's Uncompromising Stance
Mamata Banerjee consistently refuses to share political space in Bengal. She declared the INDIA alliance irrelevant to the state's politics. The Trinamool chief chose to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections independently. She has ruled out any potential alliance with Congress for the 2026 state polls.
This solo-first approach leaves Congress completely isolated. The party cannot rely on support from Bengal's ruling party. It must confront both the TMC and BJP without any powerful allies.
Lost Strongholds and Vanishing Ground
Congress once maintained robust strongholds across Bengal. Areas like English Bazar, Sujapur, Chanchal and Beldanga featured active booth networks and loyal supporters. These regions provided the party with a territorial anchor in the state.
By 2021, these traditional bastions had slipped away completely. The collapse occurred with startling speed. Congress now lacks any significant geographical base in Bengal. It operates without secure territories where it can consolidate support.
Fight for Survival Rather Than Relevance
Congress enters the 2026 election cycle facing stark realities. The party lacks clear leadership in Bengal. Its organizational structure continues to shrink. Alliance prospects appear nonexistent.
The central question has shifted fundamentally. It is no longer about which opponents Congress will fight. The pressing issue involves whether the party retains enough political ground to mount any meaningful contest at all. Congress must fight for its very survival in West Bengal.
