In West Bengal's Dinhata assembly constituency, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ajay Ray emerged victorious, defeating the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Udayan Guha by a margin of 17,447 votes. According to the final tally, Ray secured 1,38,255 votes, while Guha garnered 1,20,808 votes. Dinhata is a general (unreserved) constituency situated in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, holding considerable political significance in the northern region of the state.
Constituency Background and Previous Elections
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, Dinhata was won by Nisith Pramanik of the BJP with a margin exceeding 57,000 votes over the TMC. However, Pramanik later resigned after being elected to the Lok Sabha and appointed as a Union minister, which triggered a by-election later that same year. In the bypoll held on October 30, 2021, Udayan Guha of the TMC won the seat, reversing the earlier result and returning the constituency to the ruling party.
Key Issues and Voter Concerns
The constituency comprises both urban and rural segments. Key issues during the campaign included infrastructure development, employment opportunities, and agricultural concerns. Rural voters frequently raised demands related to irrigation, crop support, and flood management, while urban residents focused on road conditions, drainage, and civic amenities. Access to healthcare and educational facilities also remained recurring concerns for the electorate.
Election 2026 Candidates and Voting Details
In the 2026 elections, the main candidates were Udayan Guha of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Ajay Ray of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Harihar Roy Singha of the Indian National Congress. The constituency went to polls on April 23 as part of Phase 1. Cooch Behar district recorded a voter turnout of 96.2%, the highest among all districts in that phase, reflecting the high level of political engagement in the region.
The victory for Ajay Ray marks a significant gain for the BJP in north Bengal, reinforcing its presence in an area where the TMC had previously reclaimed the seat. The result is expected to have implications for the broader political dynamics in West Bengal, as both parties continue to vie for influence in the region.
