Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb Expresses Desire to Contest 2026 Assembly Polls from Siliguri
In a significant political development, Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb declared on Friday that he intends to contest the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections from Siliguri, rather than Dabgram-Phulbari, the constituency he represented twice in the past. This announcement has sparked reactions from political opponents and added to the ongoing churn in North Bengal politics ahead of the upcoming polls.
Deb's Shift in Constituency Preference
Goutam Deb, who served as an MLA from Dabgram-Phulbari in 2011 and 2016, stated his preference during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a road in Fulbari's Paschim Dhantala. He emphasized his personal connection to Siliguri, calling it his birthplace, and expressed a strong desire to represent the area in the state assembly. "I want to contest from Siliguri, my birthplace," Deb said, highlighting his roots and commitment to the region.
Reflecting on his previous electoral performance, Deb noted that he lost from Dabgram-Phulbari in the 2021 polls to BJP MLA Sikha Chatterjee by a margin of 27,593 votes. Despite this defeat, he asserted that he personally lost nothing, as he went on to become the mayor of Siliguri. He urged the people of Dabgram-Phulbari to support the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate in future elections, stating, "I request people to support the TMC candidate and ensure the party's victory."
BJP MLA Sikha Chatterjee's Critical Response
Reacting to Deb's announcement, Dabgram-Phulbari BJP MLA Sikha Chatterjee offered a sharp critique, suggesting that Deb's move is motivated by fear of another defeat. "Yeh dar mujhe achcha laga (I liked this fear)," Chatterjee said, implying that Deb is avoiding a tough contest. She further accused him of underperformance during his tenure, questioning his contributions to the constituency.
Chatterjee elaborated, "This is remarkable. TMC won't give him a ticket from Dabgram-Phulbari. He did nothing but mislead people here. Even as a minister, what did he do for them? Also, was Siliguri ever his priority earlier?" Her comments underscore the political tensions and accusations of neglect that often characterize electoral rivalries in the region.
Political Context and Broader Implications
Deb's statement comes amid a period of significant political realignment in North Bengal. He raised concerns about the current governance dynamics, asking, "State govt does the work here and BJP wins the election. How long will this happen?" This question reflects the ongoing struggle between the ruling TMC and opposition BJP in the area, where development work and electoral outcomes are closely scrutinized.
The political landscape in North Bengal has been particularly volatile, with recent defections adding to the uncertainty. For instance, on Thursday, Kurseong BJP MLA BP Sharma joined the TMC, indicating a shifting allegiance that could impact future electoral strategies. These movements highlight the fluid nature of West Bengal politics as parties gear up for the 2026 assembly polls.
Key Points from the Announcement
- Goutam Deb, current mayor of Siliguri, wants to contest the 2026 assembly elections from Siliguri instead of Dabgram-Phulbari.
- Deb was elected from Dabgram-Phulbari in 2011 and 2016 but lost to BJP's Sikha Chatterjee in 2021 by 27,593 votes.
- He cites Siliguri as his birthplace and expresses a personal desire to represent it, while encouraging support for TMC candidates in Dabgram-Phulbari.
- BJP MLA Sikha Chatterjee responds critically, suggesting Deb's move is driven by fear and accusing him of poor performance as an MLA and minister.
- The announcement occurs against a backdrop of political churn in North Bengal, including recent defections like BJP MLA BP Sharma joining TMC.
This development sets the stage for intense political maneuvering in the lead-up to the 2026 elections, with both TMC and BJP positioning themselves to gain an edge in key constituencies like Siliguri and Dabgram-Phulbari.
