Congress Sets Ambitious Goal for 2026 Assembly Elections
The Indian National Congress has decided to contest all 294 assembly seats in the 2026 West Bengal elections, reaffirming its commitment to an independent fight. Party workers have been urged to strengthen their organizational base and not to rely on alliances.
During a one-day visit to Kolkata, Congress’s West Bengal observer Ghulam Mir emphasized the need to increase the party’s bargaining power by contesting independently. Speaking at a political workshop at Bidhan Bhavan, Mir asserted, “We must focus on building our strength rather than worrying about alliances. If we become stronger, other parties will come to us for negotiations.”
Strengthening Booth-Level Organization a Priority
Mir highlighted the importance of a robust booth-level presence, instructing workers to prepare for an independent battle. However, Congress workers expressed concerns over TMC’s alleged intimidation tactics during elections, which prevent them from deploying polling agents effectively.
In response, Mir assured them that top Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, or Mallikarjun Kharge might visit West Bengal in the coming months. But before that, he urged them to fortify their booth-level committees and establish a strong ground presence.
Senior Congress Leaders Present at the Workshop
Several prominent Congress leaders attended the workshop, including:
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Former State President)
- Pradip Bhattacharya (Former State President)
- Shubhankar Sarkar (Current State President)
- Abhijit Mukherjee (Son of Former President Pranab Mukherjee)
Both Chowdhury and Bhattacharya launched a scathing attack on BJP and TMC, accusing them of communal politics and damaging democratic values in West Bengal.
Ghost Voters Issue Raised by Congress
The issue of ghost voters also came up during the discussions. Mir stressed that removing deceased individuals from voter lists is more crucial than the TMC’s accusations regarding bogus voters. Congress plans to actively campaign against electoral irregularities to ensure a free and fair election in 2026.
Congress’s 2026 Election Strategy
The party’s key focus areas for the upcoming elections include:
- Contesting all 294 assembly seats
- Strengthening booth-level organization
- Enhancing the party’s bargaining power
- Maintaining an independent stance
- Countering BJP and TMC’s influence
- Ensuring fair elections by addressing ghost voter concerns
With a stronger grassroots network and possible visits from national leaders, Congress aims to re-establish its relevance in West Bengal politics.