West Bengal’s political history has often featured wide-ranging social, ideological, and democratic movements. The 2026 state assembly elections could prove pivotal in shaping the future of democracy in the region, particularly regarding its standards, oversight, and institutional strength. This context calls for an assessment of the Trinamool Congress administration under Mamata Banerjee.
During the last ten years, governance under Banerjee has shown a trend toward concentrated authority. The party gained power in 2011 amid expectations of transformation, initially earning strong public backing. Over time, however, the approach shifted to one focused on individual leadership. Institutional involvement in decisions diminished, and the divide between politics and administration grew unclear, leading to apparent favoritism.
Banerjee’s administration promised to eliminate disorder, stop border crossings from Bangladesh, reduce violence, and create jobs. In practice, these goals were not met, and institutional autonomy and responsibility appear to have weakened. The government has worked to stifle dissent, sidelined opposition groups, and used administrative tools for political gain. These developments pose risks to democratic principles. Law enforcement in the state continues to face criticism, highlighted by the serious incident at R.G. Kar Medical College, which exposed issues of official indifference and lack of accountability.
Responses to such events suggest the administration prioritizes its reputation over public safety. Political violence, a persistent problem in Bengal, has reportedly increased under this leadership. This includes election-related clashes, assaults on rival activists, and claims of voter coercion, all of which erode democratic norms. Banerjee’s strategy relies on a stable voter base, drawing criticism for emphasizing group-based politics.
The state’s Muslim community, comprising about 28-29 percent of the population, has historically voted cohesively, influencing outcomes. While the Trinamool Congress has navigated this effectively, it has led to imbalanced policies, hindering overall progress. This has created social divides, with allegations of favoring minorities and growing dissatisfaction among the Hindu majority, prompting calls for a shift in power.
Election data supports this trend. The Trinamool Congress won 184 seats with 38.93 percent of votes in 2011, 211 seats with 45 percent in 2016, and 213 seats with 48 percent in 2021, but recent results indicate challenges. The Congress party’s win in the 2023 Sagardighi bypoll and gains in Muslim-dominated areas during the 2024 national elections suggest shifts in traditional voting patterns.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has grown significantly in West Bengal, rising from 17 percent of votes in 2014 to 41 percent and 18 seats in 2019, and securing 77 seats as the main opposition in 2021. The Congress-Left coalition is also working to regain influence. The Indian National Congress
