Kumargram Assembly Election Results 2026

Since its inception in 1967, Kumargram has witnessed 15 Assembly elections, including a bypoll in 2014. The Congress party dominated the early years, winning the first four elections. This was followed by a long spell of Left Front dominance, with the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) securing nine consecutive victories. The Trinamool Congress came close to ending the RSP’s streak in the 2014 by-election, losing by a narrow margin of 2,677 votes. The breakthrough came in 2016, when TMC’s James Kujur defeated RSP’s sitting MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon by 6,153 votes.

Oraon’s political journey took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he contested on a BJP ticket and won the seat, defeating TMC’s Leos Kujur by 11,001 votes. The BJP has since expanded its footprint in Kumargram, a Hindu-majority constituency, and has led comfortably in the Assembly segment during the last two Lok Sabha elections, by 28,813 votes in 2019 and 7,641 votes in 2024.

Kumargram had 272,924 registered voters in the 2021 Assembly elections, up from 205,554 in 2016. Although the seat is reserved for the Scheduled Tribe community, the Scheduled Caste voters outnumber them. As per the 2011 Census, SC voters accounted for approximately 36.12 per cent of the electorate, while ST voters made up 26.88 per cent. The constituency is overwhelmingly rural, with 89.97 per cent of voters residing in villages and only 10.03 per cent in urban areas.

The terrain of Kumargram is marked by undulating forested tracts and fertile plains. The region lies close to the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and shares an international border with Bhutan. Rivers such as the Torsa and Kaljani flow through the area, influencing both agriculture and settlement patterns. The economy is primarily agrarian, with tea estates playing a significant role in employment and revenue. Kumargram is part of the Dooars region, known for its lush tea gardens and forest cover. Apart from tea, paddy and betel nut are commonly cultivated, and forest produce supplements local livelihoods.

Kumargram is well-connected to nearby towns. The closest urban centre is Kamakhyaguri, located about 35 km away. The district headquarters, Alipurduar town, lies roughly 50 km to the south. The state capital, Kolkata, is approximately 700 km away by road. Across the border in Bhutan, towns like Phuentsholing and Samtse are accessible. This proximity influences cross-border trade and cultural exchange.

Although the BJP’s lead in Kumargram narrowed significantly in the 2024 parliamentary polls, it continues to enjoy an edge over the TMC in this constituency. The RSP, once a dominant force, appears to have faded into political obscurity. However, the BJP cannot afford to take victory for granted, as the TMC is expected to mount an aggressive campaign to reclaim the seat in 2026. With shifting loyalties and a complex demographic mix, Kumargram is set for a keenly contested election.

(Ajay Jha)