West Bengal’s Panihati constituency, an urban powerhouse in North 24 Parganas, is poised for electoral fireworks in 2026. Integrated into Kolkata’s metro fabric with excellent rail and road ties, it covers key municipal wards within Dum Dum’s Lok Sabha ambit.
Over 14 elections since 1967, CPI(M) ruled with eight victories, Congress notched two, and TMC claimed four, dominating since 2011 via Nirmal Ghosh’s triumphs—including a resounding 2021 defeat of BJP by 25,000+ votes.
Recent Lok Sabha polls underscore BJP’s ascent, narrowing the field to TMC vs BJP while Left forces fade. At 2.31 lakh voters, the all-urban profile features 5% SC and sparse Muslim segments, with turnout sliding since 2011—a worry for democracy.
Historically tied to rice commerce and SMEs in textiles, leather, chemicals, Panihati has gentrified into middle-class homes, super-connected by Barrackpore Road, local halts, and metro extensions.
Analysts favor TMC, but BJP’s consistent shares and alliance maneuvers could upset. Urban woes, organizational edge, and turnout revival are pivotal. Panihati may set the tone for Bengal’s suburban politics.