Rajya Sabha Polls 2026: TMC Set For 4-Seat Sweep In Bengal; BJP To Gain One As Left Exit Approaches

KOLKATA – With the state assembly elections looming just months away, the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls are serving as a critical litmus test for organizational discipline and political messaging. Based on the current legislative strength, the TMC (218 MLAs) and the BJP (approx. 65 MLAs) will split the five vacant seats, leaving the Congress and the CPI(M) without the numbers to compete.

The Seat Arithmetic

The five vacancies in West Bengal arise from the completion of terms or resignations of the following members:

• Subrata Bakshi (TMC): Term ending April 2.
• Ritabrata Banerjee (TMC): Term ending April 2.
• Saket Gokhale (TMC): Term ending April 2.
• Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya (CPI-M): Term ending April 2.
• Mausam Noor (Resigned): Vacant since her return to the Congress.

Candidate Speculation

While official lists are expected after the formal notification on February 26, party insiders have hinted at the following:

• TMC Strategy: Reports suggest Saket Gokhale and Ritabrata Banerjee may be renominated due to their active performance. However, there is doubt regarding senior leader Subrata Bakshi due to health concerns. The party is also expected to nominate at least one Muslim candidate to maintain community representation.
• BJP Strategy: Names circulating for the BJP’s single assured seat include actor-politician Mithun Chakraborty and former MP Locket Chatterjee, as the party seeks to boost its celebrity appeal ahead of the state polls.

A Historic Departure for the Left

This election marks a somber milestone for the Left Front. For the first time since the first Rajya Sabha elections in 1952, the state of West Bengal will have no representation from the Left in the Upper House, following the completion of Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya’s term.

Important Dates for the March 16 Polls