West Bengal’s political landscape is simmering ahead of 2026 assembly polls, with Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas stealing the spotlight. This ST-reserved rural enclave, carved from Sundarbans’ intricate waterways, blends ecological fragility with electoral intrigue.
Bounded by creeks and canals, locals grapple with agrarian challenges—floods erode farmlands, salinity poisons wells, yet fishing thrives. Encompassing Sandeshkhali-I and partial -II blocks, it has 2.5 lakh voters: SC-heavy, with STs and Muslims pivotal. High turnout underscores stakes in every ballot.
From CPI(M)’s iron grip—10 triumphs, unbroken 1977-2011—to Congress’s fledgling successes, the seat evolved. TMC’s 2016 coup by Sukumar Mahata endured in 2021, but BJP surged to runner-up, dominating recent parliamentary segments.
Enter January 2024: ED probes into TMC leaders unearthed sexual assault claims and land mafia ties, sparking riots. Protests swelled, with women at the forefront decrying atrocities. The fallout? A seething anti-TMC wave threatening to upend loyalties.
Poll watchers say BJP, riding Modi’s tribal outreach, stands to gain most. TMC scrambles to rebuild trust amid probes. Marginalized Left-Congress could fragment votes. Beyond numbers, Sandeshkhali tests Bengal’s social contract—will rage translate to regime change?