Panihati, a vital suburban enclave in Kolkata’s metropolitan sprawl, is gearing up for a fiercely contested 2026 West Bengal assembly election. Falling under North 24 Parganas and the Dum Dum parliamentary constituency, this general category seat encompasses most wards of Panihati Municipality, linked efficiently to the city core through robust transport links.
Since its creation after 1967 delimitation, Panihati has seen CPI(M) triumph eight times in 14 polls, with Congress twice and TMC four times. TMC’s dominance solidified over the last 15 years, with Nirmal Ghosh defeating rivals by varying margins, including a decisive 2021 win against BJP.
Lok Sabha trends mirror this shift: TMC leads, but BJP has gained ground, sidelining Left parties in recent 2019 and 2024 battles. With 2.31 lakh registered voters in 2024—mostly urban dwellers—SC share at 5% and modest Muslim presence, declining turnout post-2011 signals apathy amid city life.
From Hugli riverbank rice markets to modern textile and chemical industries, Panihati has transformed into a housing hotspot for modest families. Enhanced connectivity via metro and roads boosts its appeal. Experts see TMC as frontrunner for 2026, yet BJP’s steady vote share and potential opposition consolidation could spark drama.
The poll outcome hinges on local governance, party machinery, and rekindling voter enthusiasm. Panihati’s result may well foreshadow West Bengal’s urban electoral mood.