In Kolkata, April 9, concerns over job opportunities and infrastructure development issues seem to be dominating the voters' mindset in the Khardaha assembly constituency, a seat previously held by successive West Bengal finance ministers, as the countdown to the 2026 state elections officially begins.
The constituency, located on the outskirts of Kolkata in North 24 Parganas district, is perceived to be a battleground between the TMC and the BJP, amid concerns about law and order.
Khardaha was once represented by Asim Dasgupta, the longest-serving finance minister of the previous Left Front government, who won the seat five times consecutively from 1987 to 2006.
Amit Mitra, who replaced Dasgupta, served as a key figure in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet for two consecutive terms in 2011 and 2016, before retiring.
Currently, Mitra serves as a special advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Following Mitra's departure, the TMC managed to retain Khardaha in the 2021 state elections and the subsequent by-election, where Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, an MLA from Bhabanipur, was moved to Khardaha to accommodate Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the south Kolkata constituency.
Banerjee won the by-election in Bhabanipur after her defeat in Nandigram in 2021.
While Chattopadhyay secured a comfortable victory with over 93,000 votes, the 2021 by-election highlighted a shift in the political landscape of Khardaha.
Once a significant constituency held by state finance ministers for over three decades, Khardaha is now facing challenges such as the decline of the traditional jute industry, economic stagnation, infrastructure issues like poor drainage causing severe waterlogging, and worsening law and order compounded by alleged syndicate extortion.
Part of the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat, Khardaha developed around jute mills and heavy engineering units, many of which have since closed. It also houses small and medium manufacturing units, which are reportedly struggling.
The constituency, located in the Barrackpore industrial belt, has experienced several armed attacks in recent years, including the murder of BJP youth leader Manish Shukla in 2021, and the killing of a TMC activist in a slum near Titagarh in 2023. These incidents occurred amid the BJP's growing political influence since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
"The law and order situation here has deteriorated significantly, and women feel unsafe at night. There has been a sharp decline in employment opportunities for our children," complained Mili Saha, a school teacher from Rahara.
Satadru Saha, a businessman, echoed similar sentiments, stating that a change in government could bring about real development.
Key contenders in the upcoming elections include journalist-turned-TMC nominee Devadeep Purohit, BJP's Kalyan Chakraborti, and CPI(M)'s Debojyoti Das (Subho).
Purohit, an alumnus of Delhi School of Economics and a graduate of IIM, Calcutta, emphasized his local roots and criticized his opponents for attempting to portray him as an outsider.
"While my parents are from outside the state, we have been living here for generations. I was born and raised here. I studied at the Rahara Ramakrishna Mission and played in local grounds," said Purohit.
Purohit explained that he moved away during his higher studies and work, but has maintained connections and regularly visits his hometown.
"I have my residence here, and my family members live in Khardaha," he stated.
He accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and attempting to polarize voters through divisive politics.
"Khardaha reflects Bengal's inclusive and cosmopolitan character. Vote-bank politics has never worked here. People from all communities – Bengali and non-Bengali, Hindus and Muslims – have largely supported the TMC," he said, adding that around 20% of the electorate belongs to minority communities.
When asked about his potential role in the state's finance department if the TMC returns to power, Purohit, who briefly served as Mamata Banerjee's media advisor after leaving journalism, stated that he has no such aspirations.
"I have no specific ambitions in that regard, and it will be up to the party leaders to decide how to utilize my skills," he said.
BJP's Kalyan Chakraborti claimed that there is widespread public dissatisfaction with the TMC.
"People are unhappy with the overall situation, including law and order, unemployment, and syndicate raj. There are concerns about demographic changes in certain areas, and a desire for change," he said.
The BJP is focusing on consolidating support among Hindu voters in the area, which comprises approximately 30% of the migrant Hindi-speaking population from Bihar and UP.
CPI(M) candidate Debojyoti Das criticised both the TMC and the BJP, alleging that industrial decline in the region has been accelerated under the current regime.
"The once-prosperous industrial belt has experienced major closures, with factory land being converted into real estate projects. Both the TMC and the BJP have contributed to the rise of communal politics in the region. Also, the RG Kar rape-murder incident will impact people's choices, as Khardaha reacted strongly to the institutional crime," he said.
Subho Chakraborty, an executive at a private telecom firm, expressed his support for the TMC's choice of candidate.
"Devadeep represents the new generation of politicians who can bring about positive change. I would not have wanted anyone else in the fray," he said.