As West Bengal inches closer to the high-stakes 2026 Assembly Elections, all eyes are on the performance of the Trinamool Congress government over the last five years. The latest News18 Opinion Poll has released its findings, capturing the mood of the electorate and evaluating the “Mamata impact” on the ground. The results offer a fascinating look into whether the state is leaning towards continuity or a major political overhaul.

According to the poll, the TMC’s flagship social welfare schemes like ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ continue to be the primary driver of support, especially among women and rural voters. Despite the shadow of various investigations and corruption allegations, Mamata Banerjee remains the most preferred choice for the Chief Minister’s post. However, the survey also highlights a growing discontent regarding urban infrastructure and the lack of industrial growth, which has allowed the BJP to maintain a strong presence as the primary opposition.

The poll’s seat projections suggest that while the TMC is likely to retain its majority, the battle will be much tighter than in 2021. The BJP is expected to consolidate its hold in North Bengal, while the Left-Congress combine shows signs of a slight recovery in specific pockets, potentially eating into the vote shares of both major parties. Ultimately, the News18 survey hints at a TMC victory, albeit with a reduced margin, provided the current momentum holds. For DailyHunt readers, the takeaway is clear: the 2026 battle for Nabanna will be decided by the government’s ability to address local-level grievances before the first vote is cast.