Kolkata, March 15 Over the past two decades, voters in West Bengal have largely focused on Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the TMC.
However, despite her popularity, several leaders within the party are seen as having a significant influence on voters, which could impact the TMC's performance in what is expected to be one of the most competitive elections in recent years.
Here are some of the likely key candidates for the TMC:
Mamata Banerjee: The most recognizable figure in West Bengal politics, Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth term as chief minister. If she wins, she would become the state's longest-serving chief minister, second only to Jyoti Basu, a veteran Marxist leader.
Banerjee became the eighth chief minister of the state when she took office in May 2011, after the Left party lost power after three and a half decades. Since then, she has continued to be successful, leading the TMC in two subsequent state elections (in 2016 and 2021) and in three general elections (in 2014, 2019, and 2024), keeping the BJP at bay.
Banerjee, a seven-time MP and former Union minister, is a key figure in opposing the ruling BJP at the national level.
Despite winning two by-elections and a full term in the state elections, Banerjee has faced challenges. She narrowly lost the Nandigram seat to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in 2021, a result she challenged in the Calcutta High Court, and had to contest a subsequent by-election to retain her position.
Winning the Bhabanipur seat, a key constituency for the TMC, may be difficult for Banerjee in the 2026 state elections, especially after significant changes in the electoral rolls.
Aroop Biswas: A cabinet minister in Mamata Banerjee's government, Aroop Biswas won the Tollygunge seat in south Kolkata on a TMC ticket in four consecutive elections.
Biswas is expected to be re-elected from the same constituency, despite recent controversy surrounding the mismanagement of an event featuring Lionel Messi at Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium, which drew media attention to the TMC leader.
Biswas resigned as the Bengal sports minister in December due to the controversy. Despite quitting, Biswas remains in charge of key portfolios like power and housing.
Firhad Hakim: As a senior TMC leader and mayor of Kolkata, Firhad Hakim is expected to play a significant role in the elections.
He represents the Kolkata Port constituency, a politically important seat in central Kolkata. Hakim won the seat by over 68,000 votes in the 2021 elections.
His strengths include organizational control in Kolkata and support from minority voters. However, rivals point to anti-incumbency and criticism over civic issues as weaknesses.
Sovan Chatterjee: One of Mamata Banerjee's closest confidants during her first seven years, Sovan Chatterjee is best known for his tenure as Kolkata mayor from 2010 to 2018, although he also served as a minister in Banerjee's cabinet.
Chatterjee, considered a troubleshooter for the party, rose to a high position in the TMC until a personal crisis led him to leave the party in 2019.
Two years later, Chatterjee left the BJP, days before the 2021 state elections, citing the party's refusal to field him from his favoured Behala Purba seat and its refusal to make his partner Baisakhi Banerjee a candidate. He was later arrested and jailed by the CBI for his alleged involvement in the Narada sting operation bribery case.
Chatterjee rejoined TMC in November 2025 and currently serves as the chairman of New Town Kolkata Development Authority.
Madan Mitra: A prominent and outspoken TMC leader, Madan Mitra is expected to be a key campaigner in the run-up to the elections.
He represents the Kamarhati assembly constituency and won the seat in the 2021 elections by around 36,000 votes.
His strengths include connecting with the masses, media visibility, and energetic campaigning. However, critics often cite a controversial public image as a weakness. While his popularity offers the opportunity to mobilize party cadres and draw public attention during the campaign, sustained opposition attacks could pose a challenge in the upcoming polls.
Biman Banerjee: Senior TMC leader Biman Banerjee, who served as Speaker of the Assembly since 2011, represents the Baruipur Paschim assembly seat in South 24 Parganas district.
A lawyer by profession, Banerjee began his political journey with the Congress before switching to the TMC in 1998.
Since then, Banerjee has presided over the Assembly for three consecutive terms.
Siddiqullah Chowdhury: A veteran TMC leader and president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (West Bengal State Committee), Siddiqullah Chowdhury could be a key figure in securing support from minority voters.
He represents the Monteswar assembly constituency and retained the seat with a comfortable margin in the 2021 polls, reinforcing his rural base.