The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee has announced the names of its three candidates for the 2026 Rajya Sabha by-elections in West Bengal. The party has nominated Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy and Prakash Chik Baraik, all of whom formally joined the BJP on the same day before being fielded as Rajya Sabha candidates.
Sushmita Dev, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy and Prakash Chik Baraik had resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) last month. According to the available information, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy resigned on June 8, Sushmita Dev on June 10, and Prakash Chik Baraik on June 11. At the time of their resignations, the three leaders questioned the party's functioning, stating that the decision-making process within the organisation had become centralised and that the views of senior leaders were not being given adequate importance. Following these developments, they joined the BJP.
The three leaders were welcomed into the BJP during a programme held at the party's office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, in the presence of West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya and other senior party leaders. The BJP leadership stated that the experience and political background of the three leaders would help strengthen the organisation in the state.
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India, the by-election process for three Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal will be completed in July. The notification was issued on July 7, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is July 14, 2026, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on July 15, 2026, and polling and counting are scheduled for July 24, 2026. If all stages are completed as scheduled, the election results will also be declared on July 24.
The strength of political parties in the Legislative Assembly will play a key role in the Rajya Sabha by-elections. According to the current political arithmetic provided, the BJP appears confident about the prospects of its candidates. The party is stated to have the support of 208 MLAs in the Assembly, while at least 70 votes would be required to challenge an opposing candidate.
According to the political developments outlined, the Trinamool Congress has also witnessed internal changes. The available information states that, of the 80 MLAs elected previously, 60 are with a separate faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, while the original faction led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has around 20 MLAs remaining. If these numbers remain unchanged until polling, the BJP's candidates are expected to be in a comparatively ber position.
