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In a decisive political statement, Trinamool Congress has placed women at the forefront of its electoral strategy, fielding 52 female candidates in its list of 291 for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The move reinforces the party’s long-standing emphasis on gender representation, transforming it into a defining feature rather than a symbolic gesture.

At the centre of this approach is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose leadership has consistently prioritised women’s participation in politics. The latest list reflects that commitment, with women making up roughly 18 per cent of the party’s total candidates—an effort aimed at consolidating both representation and voter outreach.

From Policy To Practice: TMC’s Women-Centric Political Identity

The inclusion of a significant number of women candidates is not an isolated decision but part of a broader political culture shaped under Banerjee. Over the years, the party has steadily increased opportunities for women leaders across constituencies, embedding gender inclusivity into its organisational DNA.

This approach was evident during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well, where nearly 38 per cent of Trinamool’s elected MPs were women—the highest among major parties in the current Parliament. The consistency between parliamentary and assembly-level representation signals a strategic continuity rather than an election-specific calculation.

Banerjee’s own political journey further underscores this emphasis. As the only woman to have served as Chief Minister of West Bengal and among the longest-serving women chief ministers in independent India, she has cultivated a leadership model that actively promotes female participation in governance.

TMC Women Candidate List

The 52 women candidates span a wide geographical and social spectrum, representing constituencies across northern, southern, and central parts of the state. The list includes both seasoned leaders and fresh entrants, indicating a balance between experience and new political voices.

1. Sangita Roy Basunia - Sitai
2. Swapna Barman - Rajganj
3. Rina Toppo Ekka - Phansidewa
4. Rekha Roy - Kushmandi
5. Arpita Ghosh - Balurghat
6. Kabita Mandal - Manikchak
7. Lipika Barman Ghosh - Malda
8. Sabina Yeasmin- Sujapur  
9. Chandana Sarkar - Vaishnavnagar
10. Shaoni Singha Roy - Murshidabad
11. Protima Rajak - Baranya
12. Sahina Mumtaz - Nawada
13. Alifa Ahmed - Kaliganj
14. Barnali De Roy - Ranaghat North-East
15. Madhuparna Thakur - Bagda
16. Rituparna Addhya - Bangaon South
17. Veena Mandal - Swarupnagar
18. Chandrima Bhattacharya - Dumdum North
19. Sayantika Banerjee - Baranagar
20. Aditi Munshi - Rajarhat Gopalpur
21. Usha Rani Mondal - Minakhan
22. Jharna Sardar - Sandeshkhali
23. Nilima Biswas Mistry - Basanti
24. Barnali Dhara - Kulpi
25. Sharmistha Purkayastha - Magrahat East
26. Somashree Betal - Satgachia
27. Arundhuti Maitra (Lovely) - Sonarpur South
28. Firdousi Begum - Sonarpur North
29. Ratna Chatterjee - Behala West
30. Nayna Banerjee - Chowrangi
31. Dr. Shashi Panja - Shyampukur
32. Shreya Pandey - Maniktala
33. Nandita Chowdhury - Howrah South
34. Priya Pal - Sankrail
35. Swati Khandkar - Chanditala
36. Dr. Karbi Manna - Haripal
37. Asima Patra - Dhanekhali
38. Mita Bagh - Arambagh
39. Tapsi Mandal - Haldia
40. Pratibha Rani Maiti - Narayangarh
41. Shyamoli Sardar - Ghatal
42. Uttara Singha (Hajra) - Garbeta
43. Shiuli Saha - Keshpur
44. Birbaha Hansda - Binpur
45. Sandhya Rani Tudu - Manbazar
46. Dr. Tanushree Hansda - Ranibandh
47. Shyamoli Roy Bagdi - Indas
48. Mandira Dalui - Raina
49. Bashundhara Goswami - Purbasthali North
50. Nilabati Saha - Sainthia
51. Mamata Banerjee - Bhabanipur

Political Signal Ahead Of High-Stakes Contest

By spotlighting women candidates in significant numbers, the Trinamool Congress is sending a clear message ahead of a closely watched electoral battle. The strategy not only strengthens its appeal among women voters but also positions the party as a frontrunner in gender-inclusive politics.

As the campaign gathers momentum, the focus on women candidates is likely to remain a key talking point, shaping both narratives and voter engagement across West Bengal.