The political mercury in West Bengal has skyrocketed following the Election Commission’s announcement of a two-phase poll (April 23 and 29). As the state prepares for the 2026 battle, all eyes are now on the announcement of candidate lists. According to reliable sources, the CPI(M)-led Left Front is expected to release its primary list of candidates tomorrow, Monday. Biman Bose has already dropped hints about prioritizing fresh and young faces in this initial phase.

The suspense doesn’t end there. Tuesday is predicted to be the “Big Day” for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the primary opposition, BJP. Reports suggest that TMC is planning to announce candidates for all 294 seats at once on Tuesday to gain a psychological advantage. Meanwhile, after high-level meetings at PM Modi’s residence, the BJP has reportedly finalized over 150 names and is ready to unveil its first set of candidates on the same day.

With the counting scheduled for May 4, political parties are rushing to start their campaigns. While the TMC’s list might see a significant overhaul with professional and celebrity faces, the BJP is likely to re-nominate a majority of its sitting MLAs. Within the next 48 hours, the electoral map of West Bengal will become much clearer as the three major forces reveal their warriors for the 2026 showdown.