Elections – Berhampore Set for High-Stakes Triangular Political Contest
Elections – Veteran Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is preparing to re-enter state-level politics after a gap of more than two decades, setting up a closely watched contest in the Berhampore Assembly constituency. The seat is expected to witness a three-way battle, with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s sitting MLA Subrata Maitra and Trinamool Congress candidate Naru Gopal Mukherjee also in the fray.
Chowdhury Seeks Comeback After Lok Sabha Setback
Chowdhury, who represented the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat five times, is attempting a political comeback following a major defeat in the 2024 general elections. He lost to Trinamool Congress candidate Yusuf Pathan by a margin exceeding 85,000 votes, a result that marked a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.
Following the defeat, Chowdhury stepped down as the West Bengal Congress president, taking responsibility for the party’s underwhelming performance. His return to the Berhampore Assembly seat is being seen as an effort to rebuild his political base in a region long considered his stronghold.
BJP Aims to Retain Ground with Strong Incumbent
The Bharatiya Janata Party is relying on Subrata Maitra, who created history in the 2021 Assembly elections by becoming the first BJP legislator from Berhampore. Maitra had then defeated both Congress and Trinamool Congress candidates, winning by a margin of nearly 27,000 votes.
Known for his grassroots outreach, Maitra has built a reputation for consistent door-to-door campaigning. Party insiders believe this approach will once again be central to his strategy as he faces a seasoned opponent in Chowdhury.
Trinamool Congress Looks to Regain Lost Territory
The Trinamool Congress, which has dominated state politics in recent years, is fielding Naru Gopal Mukherjee in an attempt to reclaim the constituency. Despite its strong performance across West Bengal, the party had failed to secure this seat in 2021.
With renewed focus and organisational strength, the Trinamool Congress is expected to intensify its campaign in the constituency, making the contest even more competitive.
Demographics and Polarisation Could Influence Outcome
Berhampore Assembly constituency includes the Berhampore municipality and five gram panchayats—Bhakuri I, Daulatabad, Gurudaspur, Hatinagar, and Manindranagar. While some of these areas have a Muslim-majority population, Hindu voters constitute nearly 70 percent of the electorate, often playing a decisive role in election outcomes.
Political observers note that issues related to demographic changes and recent tensions in Murshidabad district could influence voter behaviour. There are indications that religious polarisation may emerge as a key factor shaping the final result.
Historical Significance of Berhampore
Berhampore holds historical importance dating back to 1757, when it was established following the Battle of Plassey. It later became one of the earliest administrative and military centres of the East India Company in India. Over time, the town developed into a significant commercial hub, attracting traders from Europe, including the Dutch and the French.
Statewide Political Context
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress secured a commanding victory, winning 213 seats with a vote share of 48.5 percent. The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats and a 38.5 percent vote share, while other parties managed only marginal representation.
A look back at the 2016 Assembly elections shows a similar trend, with the Trinamool Congress winning 211 seats. The Congress secured 44 seats, while the CPI(M) won 26. Smaller parties and independent candidates accounted for the remaining seats.
Crucial Battle Ahead
As campaigning gathers pace, Berhampore is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested constituencies in the upcoming Assembly elections. With all three major parties investing significant political capital, the outcome here could carry broader implications for the state’s political dynamics.