In a stunning political development, West Bengal Pradesh Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has announced his decision to contest the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. This marks his return to the state legislative battle after a hiatus of three decades, his last stint being in 1996. Even before the official Congress candidate list is out, Adhir has signaled his intent to reclaim his stronghold, Berhampore.

The battle for Berhampore is now officially a high-profile contest as Adhir will face off against BJP’s Subrata Moitra and TMC’s Nadugopal Mukherjee. Following his unexpected defeat in the last Lok Sabha polls, Adhir’s move to enter the state assembly is seen as a survival strategy to prove his undiminished influence in Murshidabad. “I am a soldier of this soil, and I will fight for my people from where it all started,” Adhir remarked during a local meet.

Political analysts believe that Adhir’s presence will significantly polarize the votes in the district, making it a difficult terrain for both TMC and BJP. His entry transforms the Berhampore seat into one of the most watched contests in the 2026 elections. As the “Robin Hood of Berhampore” gears up for this new innings, the question remains—can he successfully bridge the 30-year gap and secure a win in the state assembly?