The BJP’s decision to field Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur is being viewed as a calculated political strategy aimed at limiting her campaign influence across the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The move is being likened to a “Chakravyuh” — a formation designed to trap an opponent — with Bhabanipur emerging as the central battleground.
Bhabanipur is not just another constituency for Mamata Banerjee. It is her political stronghold and the seat she chose in 2021 to remain Chief Minister after losing to Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram. By turning this seat into a high-stakes contest, the BJP appears to be attempting to tie her down to a defensive fight, reducing the time and energy she can devote to campaigning across West Bengal’s 23 districts.
Mamata is expected to be the Trinamool Congress’s primary campaign face statewide, and her presence is crucial in closely contested constituencies. A tough battle in Bhabanipur could restrict her mobility and shift focus away from broader campaign efforts. This is central to the BJP’s strategy — to force her into a concentrated electoral fight rather than allowing her to dominate the statewide narrative.
The contest also carries strong psychological significance. Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated Mamata in Nandigram in 2021, has again been fielded from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. This creates a symbolic continuity, taking their rivalry from a rural constituency to an urban one in Kolkata. For the BJP, even narrowing Mamata’s victory margin in Bhabanipur could help challenge her political dominance.
From a strategic perspective, Bhabanipur’s unique demographic composition adds complexity to the contest. The constituency includes a significant proportion of non-Bengali voters — such as Gujaratis, Marwaris, Punjabis, and Odias — along with a sizable Muslim population. While this mix has traditionally favoured the Trinamool Congress, the BJP sees an opportunity to consolidate support among certain segments, particularly business communities.
Another factor that could influence the outcome is the recent Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of names have been deleted or placed under scrutiny in Bhabanipur. While the BJP has described these as corrections of duplicate or invalid entries, the Trinamool Congress has alleged that genuine voters have been removed, calling it a politically motivated exercise.
The BJP’s strategy also extends beyond Bhabanipur. By fielding Adhikari in both Bhabanipur and Nandigram, the party aims to maintain constant pressure on Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool leadership. Meanwhile, speculation continues over whether Trinamool may field Abhishek Banerjee in Nandigram, although no official confirmation has been made.
In the 2021 bypoll, Mamata Banerjee won Bhabanipur by a margin of over 58,000 votes, and the seat has been a Trinamool stronghold for over a decade. However, the BJP’s current approach seeks to transform it into a prestige battle that could reshape political perceptions ahead of the state elections.
Whether this “Chakravyuh” strategy succeeds remains uncertain. A comfortable victory for Mamata could reinforce her dominance, while a tighter contest could impact the Trinamool’s overall campaign momentum. The outcome will depend on how effectively each side mobilises support and navigates the evolving political dynamics in the run-up to the polls.
