In West Bengal's Mal (Scheduled Tribe) constituency, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Sukra Munda secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. Munda garnered 1,12,095 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Bulu Chik Baraik of the Trinamool Congress, who received 96,603 votes. The margin of victory stood at 15,492 votes.
Constituency Profile
Mal (ST) is a Scheduled Tribe-reserved constituency located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. It lies in the northern part of the Dooars region, an area known for its significant tribal population. The constituency has historically been a battleground between the TMC and BJP, with tribal voters playing a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Key Candidates in 2026
In the 2026 elections, the primary candidates were Bulu Chik Baraik of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Sukra Munda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Rakesh Kujur of the Indian National Congress. The contest was largely seen as a direct fight between the TMC and BJP.
Previous Election Trends
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Mal seat was won by Khageswar Roy of the BJP, who defeated his nearest TMC rival by a margin of approximately 20,000 votes. That victory underscored the BJP's growing appeal among tribal communities in the Dooars region, a trend that appears to have continued in 2026.
Economic and Social Context
The local economy of the Mal constituency is primarily dependent on agriculture, forest-based livelihoods, and employment in tea gardens. Key issues that resonate with voters include development, livelihood opportunities, and social welfare. Tribal communities frequently raise concerns about access to government schemes, land and forest rights, and economic stability. Tea garden workers and small farmers emphasize the need for wage security, irrigation support, and fair crop pricing.
Voting Details
The constituency went to polls on April 23 as part of Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Jalpaiguri district recorded a high voter turnout of 94.76%, reflecting the intense interest in the electoral process.
Broader Electoral Landscape
The results from Mal are part of a larger electoral picture across West Bengal and other states. In Tamil Nadu, Vijay's TVK party emerged as a formidable force. Meanwhile, early trends in West Bengal suggested that Mamata Banerjee was lagging behind Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur after the second round of counting. The BJP is positioning itself to potentially oust the TMC in Bengal while retaining power in Assam.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2026 election results, including live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, and party-wise trends, readers can follow the latest reports from reliable news sources.
