In West Bengal’s Birbhum district, tensions within the ruling TMC have created a competitive environment in Bolpur and Rampurhat constituencies. The campaigns focus on leadership rivalries, allegations of smuggling, and local development issues.
Anubrata Mondal, a key figure in Birbhum politics, remains influential despite his time in Tihar Jail. He is a strong organizer for the TMC and is close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Following his release, Mondal was removed from his district president position but remains on a nine-member committee with Faizul Haque to oversee the party’s affairs.
Banerjee appointed Mondal as the committee's convenor to balance rival factions while maintaining organizational control.
Mondal stated that the TMC will win due to the development carried out under Mamata Banerjee and that they will resist outside interference.
The rivalry between Mondal and Faizul Haque has long shaped Birbhum's political landscape. Banerjee has repeatedly urged both leaders to work together to prevent electoral setbacks.
The allegations of illegal smuggling, including stones, sand, coal, and cattle, have become a central issue. The Bogtui killings, where 10 people were killed in a firebombing, also cast a shadow over Rampurhat.
In Bolpur, which includes Santiniketan, the election reflects concerns about heritage, education, and governance. Chandranath Sinha has represented the constituency since 2011 and won by more than 22,000 votes in 2021. Sinha is currently under scrutiny over alleged links to the teacher recruitment scam.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her support for Sinha, urging him to uphold the dignity of her blessing.
The controversy surrounding Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls has added a significant dimension to the Bolpur contest.
The ruling party has highlighted Sen's position in campaign messaging, with leaders raising the issue at public meetings.
On the ground, responses to the SIR are mixed. While some residents describe it as a routine documentation exercise, others have raised concerns about transparency.
In sections of Bolpur, particularly among landholders and those linked to Visva-Bharati’s ecosystem, the issue has generated discussion.
A resident said that the matter resonated because of Sen's association with Santiniketan, but added that voters were also weighing everyday concerns such as civic services and employment.
Opposition parties have sought to downplay the issue’s electoral impact, arguing that corruption allegations and internal divisions within the TMC would weigh more heavily.
A BJP functionary said, "People are watching both the corruption allegations and the infighting. This election is more competitive than before."
Rampurhat, largely rural, is shaped by agriculture, irrigation, and connectivity concerns. The seat is represented by Deputy Speaker Ashish Banerjee, a five-time MLA who won in 2021 by 8,472 votes against Subhasis Choudhury.
Speaking to