With the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for April 29, political attention has turned to Kolkata and its surrounding urban belts, long considered a stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). As campaigning intensifies, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to make inroads into the city by shifting its electoral messaging and focusing on civic concerns rather than its traditional rural campaign themes.

Kolkata’s 14 Assembly seats have historically remained under TMC influence, and the BJP has never secured a seat in the city. However, the party showed signs of progress during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by improving its vote share in certain urban pockets. Sensing an opportunity, BJP leaders have recalibrated their strategy for the Assembly polls, targeting dissatisfied urban voters through issues directly affecting daily life in the capital.

In a notable departure from earlier narratives centred on border security, identity politics, and infiltration, the BJP has localised its campaign around infrastructure-related concerns. Party leaders have highlighted road conditions, traffic congestion, drainage failures, civic maintenance, waterlogging, and broader questions around urban governance. Senior leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, have campaigned aggressively in constituencies such as Kolkata Port and other key battleground areas.

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For the TMC, retaining dominance in Kolkata remains politically significant, as the city symbolises the party’s administrative and electoral strength. The contest in the capital is expected to test whether urban governance issues can dent TMC’s support base or whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party can once again consolidate its loyal vote bank. With polling day approaching, Kolkata has emerged as one of the most closely watched fronts in the state election battle.

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