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Politics
West Bengal bypolls set to shape Congress‑TMC ties
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 30 Sep 2026, 02:17 PM
👁 12
The upcoming West Bengal by‑elections are expected to influence the working relationship between the Indian National Congress and the Mamata‑led faction of the Trinamool Congress, analysts say.
The Election Commission has announced a series of by‑elections in West Bengal to fill vacant seats in the state assembly. Major parties, including the Indian National Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress, are fielding candidates across the constituencies.
Political observers note that the outcome of these polls will be a litmus test for the evolving relationship between Congress and the faction of the TMC led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Both parties have historically cooperated in the state, but recent strategic differences have raised questions about the durability of their alliance.
Analysts argue that a strong showing by Congress could embolden the party to negotiate a more assertive role in any future coalition, while a decisive win for the Mamata‑led TMC faction would reinforce its dominance and potentially marginalise Congress in the state’s power equation.
The bypolls are therefore being watched not only for the immediate seat count but also for the signals they send about the broader political calculus ahead of the next general election.
Regardless of the results, the contests are likely to shape the tactical approaches of both parties as they position themselves for upcoming state and national contests.
Political observers note that the outcome of these polls will be a litmus test for the evolving relationship between Congress and the faction of the TMC led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Both parties have historically cooperated in the state, but recent strategic differences have raised questions about the durability of their alliance.
Analysts argue that a strong showing by Congress could embolden the party to negotiate a more assertive role in any future coalition, while a decisive win for the Mamata‑led TMC faction would reinforce its dominance and potentially marginalise Congress in the state’s power equation.
The bypolls are therefore being watched not only for the immediate seat count but also for the signals they send about the broader political calculus ahead of the next general election.
Regardless of the results, the contests are likely to shape the tactical approaches of both parties as they position themselves for upcoming state and national contests.