In a major move ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has finally approved the high-profile candidate list for the state. After weeks of deliberations in New Delhi and internal discussions at Bidhan Bhavan, the party has finalized names that aim to bridge the gap between seasoned political expertise and youthful dynamism.

At the heart of the list are stalwarts like Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and the current West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President, Shubhankar Sarkar. The strategy is clear: reclaim the party’s lost influence in its traditional bastions of Malda and Murshidabad while expanding its footprint in South Bengal. Notable veterans like Abdul Mannan, Nepal Mahato, and Manoj Chakraborty are also expected to feature prominently, bringing their extensive legislative experience to the battlefield.

However, the real surprise lies in the party’s focus on new faces. Following Rahul Gandhi’s vision of promoting young leadership, several student leaders and local activists have been granted tickets. The inclusion of Rohan Mitra, son of the late veteran leader Somen Mitra, and other emerging professionals signals a generational shift within the state unit.

With the first phase of the West Bengal elections scheduled for April 23, the announcement of these heavyweights has revitalized the party workers. Political observers believe that by fielding credible and well-known figures alongside fresh blood, the Congress is attempting to break the binary contest between the TMC and BJP. As the campaign intensifies, the performance of these high-stakes candidates will determine if the “Grand Old Party” can regain its lost glory in the corridors of the State Assembly.