Ending weeks of speculation, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) officially released its first list of candidates for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on Friday. The headline-grabbing news from the announcement is the candidacy of Naushad Siddiqui, the party’s sole MLA, who will once again contest from his stronghold, Bhangar.

Naushad Siddiqui, who secured a historic win from Bhangar in the 2021 elections despite a massive wave for the ruling party, remains the central figure of ISF’s political strategy. While there were rumors that he might shift to a different constituency to challenge other heavyweight leaders, the party leadership has decided to stick with him in Bhangar to ensure a consolidated victory. “My commitment to the people of Bhangar is unwavering, and we will lead the fight for justice from here,” Naushad stated after the announcement.

The ISF has released names for 33 assembly seats in its first phase, featuring a blend of experienced activists and fresh faces. Political observers suggest that the battle for Bhangar will be one of the most high-profile contests in the 2026 elections, given the intense rivalry between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and ISF in the region. With Naushad Siddiqui leading from the front, ISF aims to expand its footprint in the state legislature beyond a single seat.