ISF fields Arabul in Canning East, Naushad from Bhangar

Ending days of speculation, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Monday announced its first list of 23 candidates for the Assembly elections, springing several surprises and setting the stage for high-voltage contests in South 24-Parganas.

The party has fielded Arabul Islam from Canning East, while its lone MLA Naushad Siddiqui will once again contest from Bhangar. Soon after his candidature was confirmed, Siddiqui sharpened his attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, throwing an open challenge.

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In another significant development, Mofidul Haque Sahaji, a North 24-Parganas Zilla Parishad functionary, who recently defected from the Trinamul Congress, has been nominated from Deganga. His inclusion underlines ISF’s attempt to expand its organisational base by inducting leaders from rival camps. The announcement comes amid a reshuffle in the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) ranks.

The party had earlier shifted its influential leader Saokat Molla from Canning East to Bhangar, while fielding Baharul Islam from Canning East. The move had triggered resentment among a section of Molla’s supporters, many of whom protested against what they described as the imposition of an “outsider” candidate. Despite the discontent, TMC has now recalibrated its strategy, bringing Molla back into prominence in Bhangar, thereby setting up a direct and potentially volatile contest with Siddiqui.

Political observers believe the constituency is headed for a fierce showdown, given the long-standing rivalry between the two camps. Over the past five years, clashes between supporters of Siddiqui and Molla have frequently made headlines, often turning violent and keeping the political atmosphere in the region charged. With Arabul Islam also entering the fray from Canning East after quitting TMC, the equations have become more complex. Analysts say that while Bhawanipore may remain the symbolic epicentre of the elections, Bhangar is likely to emerge as a key battleground where prestige, local dominance and organisational strength will all be tested.

With multiple power centres and shifting loyalties, both Bhangar and Canning East are poised for closely watched contests in the coming polls.

AIMIM seals Bengal tie-up with JUP for Bengal polls

A new political alignment has emerged in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, with Asaduddin Owaisi announcing that his party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), will contest in alliance with the Janata Unnayan Party.

Speaking on Sunday night, Owaisi said a joint Press conference will be held in Kolkata on Wednesday alongside Humayun Kabir, signalling the formalisation of the alliance. However, seat-sharing arrangements between the two parties are yet to be finalised, keeping political circles abuzz with speculation. Kabir, who floated the Janata Unnayan Party in December last year, has already indicated an ambitious electoral plan. His party has announced its intention to field candidates in 182 of the 294 Assembly seats. It has also declared that it will contest from Bhabanipur, directly challenging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Kabir himself is set to contest from Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies in Murshidabad district. He had earlier won from Bharatpur as a Trinamul Congress candidate.