Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections from the Baharampur (Berhampore) constituency, marking his return to state politics after nearly three decades.

Former five-time Member of Parliament from Baharampur, Chowdhury re-enters the Assembly poll fray following his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he lost the seat to TMC’s Yusuf Pathan. Despite the setback, he continues to be one of the most influential political figures in Murshidabad, having represented the constituency in Parliament since 1999 and previously serving as a Union minister and West Bengal Congress chief.

His candidature also comes after he stepped down as state Congress president, taking responsibility for the party’s performance in the 2024 general elections. Now, he is attempting to reclaim his long-standing political base in Baharampur, a region where he has maintained a strong organisational presence over decades.

The 2026 contest is expected to be a closely fought triangular battle. Chowdhury faces sitting BJP MLA Subrata Maitra, who broke Congress dominance in the seat in 2021, as well as TMC’s Naru Gopal Mukherjee. With the BJP looking to retain its foothold and the TMC aiming to expand its influence, the constituency has emerged as a key battleground in Murshidabad district.

With his long political career and deep-rooted connect in the region, Chowdhury’s return adds a significant dimension to the Baharampur contest, making it one of the more closely watched fights in the 2026 elections.

Candidate Info: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate contesting from Baharampur (General) Assembly constituency for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. This male candidate is 70 years of age, according to the election affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India.