Congress to Contest All 294 Seats Independently in West Bengal Assembly Polls

The Congress has announced that it will contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections on its own, ruling out any alliance or seat-sharing arrangement with other political parties. The declaration signals a clear strategic shift by the party as it seeks to revive its independent political footprint in a state where it has been marginalised for over a decade.

Senior Congress leaders said the decision was taken after internal consultations and a review of the party’s organisational position in West Bengal. They emphasised that the party would focus on strengthening its grassroots presence and presenting itself as a distinct alternative to both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The leadership stressed that contesting solo would allow Congress to directly connect with voters without the constraints of alliance politics.

In recent elections, Congress has struggled to retain relevance in West Bengal, often relying on alliances—most notably with the Left Front—to remain electorally visible. However, those arrangements have delivered limited success, with the party failing to make significant gains. The decision to go it alone reflects a reassessment of whether alliances have diluted the party’s identity rather than expanded its support base.

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Party leaders also indicated that the campaign would focus on issues such as unemployment, price rise, governance, and alleged erosion of democratic institutions. Congress plans to highlight what it describes as the failures of both the TMC government in the state and the BJP-led central government, positioning itself as a credible national party with a distinct ideological stance.

Political observers note that the move carries both risks and opportunities. While a solo contest could further fragment the opposition vote, it may also help Congress rebuild its cadre, test its organisational strength, and regain visibility among younger and first-time voters. The party’s performance will depend heavily on candidate selection, local leadership, and its ability to mobilise workers at the booth level.

As West Bengal gears up for a high-stakes Assembly election, Congress’s decision to chart an independent course underscores its broader attempt to redefine its role in state politics. Whether this strategy translates into electoral gains remains uncertain, but it marks a decisive break from alliance-dependent politics in the state.

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