In West Bengal's Phansidewa (ST) constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Durga Murmu emerged victorious by a substantial margin of 45,263 votes over her nearest rival, Reena Topno Ekka of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), according to the 2026 assembly election results. Murmu secured 1,18,241 votes, while Ekka garnered 72,978 votes, highlighting the BJP's continued dominance in this Scheduled Tribe-reserved seat located in the Darjeeling district.
Constituency Profile and Key Candidates
Phansidewa (ST) is a reserved constituency for Scheduled Tribes situated in the Terai region of north Bengal, encompassing semi-urban towns and rural villages. The 2026 election saw a three-way contest among Reena Topno Ekka of the TMC, Durga Murmu of the BJP, and Smt. Nabanita Tirkey of the Indian National Congress. The constituency has a significant tribal population, for whom welfare, livelihoods, and development remain central issues.
Previous Election Performance
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, Durga Murmu had won the Phansidewa seat by a margin of approximately 11,000 votes, defeating the TMC candidate. This victory underscored the BJP's growing influence among tribal voters in north Bengal, a trend that has been further consolidated in the 2026 elections.
Economic and Social Context
The local economy of Phansidewa is primarily driven by tea gardens, agriculture, and small businesses. Tea garden workers and farmers frequently raise concerns regarding wages, job security, irrigation facilities, crop pricing, and timely access to government support schemes. Tribal communities have been particularly vocal about the need for protection of land and forest rights, as well as effective delivery of welfare programmes. These issues played a crucial role in shaping voter preferences during the election.
Polling and Turnout
The constituency went to polls on April 23 as part of Phase 1 of the West Bengal assembly elections. Darjeeling district, which includes Phansidewa, recorded a voter turnout of 88.98%, reflecting high electoral engagement among the local populace.
This result is part of the broader 2026 West Bengal election trends, where the BJP has made significant inroads, while the TMC faces challenges in retaining its strongholds. For the latest updates on election results, including constituency-wise winners, party-wise trends, and full coverage of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry elections, stay tuned to leading news platforms.
