Murshidabad, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and Birbhum together form a crucial electoral base for the ruling party.
KOLKATA — Six Muslim-majority districts in West Bengal continue to play a pivotal role in the electoral strength of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Murshidabad, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and Birbhum together form a crucial electoral base for the ruling party.
Of the state’s 294 assembly constituencies, 118 — nearly 40 per cent — are located in these six districts. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC won 215 seats overall, with 103 of them — about 48 per cent — coming from these regions, underlining its strong performance. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured significantly fewer seats here.
Political observers say these districts remain central to the TMC’s dominance. Earlier, a large section of Muslim voters in these areas backed the Left Front, which governed the state for over three decades.
The shift began after the Sachar Committee Report highlighted socio-economic challenges faced by Muslims, leading to discontent among sections of voters. Subsequent land acquisition disputes in Nandigram and Singur further impacted farmers, including many from minority communities.
During this period, Banerjee emerged as a key figure in protests, positioning herself as an advocate for farmers and marginalised groups. After coming to power in 2011, her government introduced several minority welfare measures, including scholarships under the Aikyashree scheme, financial assistance for religious figures, and reservation benefits for certain communities.
These initiatives helped consolidate support among minority voters in these districts.
The political landscape also shifted during debates over citizenship-related issues, which raised concerns among sections of the population. The TMC’s opposition to such measures further strengthened its appeal in these regions.
Senior journalist Prabhakar Mani Tiwari said some changes could emerge due to voter list revisions, but a sweeping shift appears unlikely. “The ruling party remains strong in districts like North and South 24 Parganas,” he said, adding that while opposition parties may gain ground in parts of North Bengal, challenging the TMC in its core areas remains difficult.
With elections ahead, these six districts are expected to remain critical in shaping West Bengal’s political trajectory, as parties intensify efforts to expand their support in these influential regions.
