In a significant shift that could alter the political dynamics of North Bengal, veteran Congress leader and former MLA of Matigara-Naxalbari, Shankar Malakar, has formally joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC). His defection marks a potential turning point in the region’s politics ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
For decades, Malakar had been a towering figure in North Bengal’s Congress politics— particularly in Siliguri and surrounding subdivisions. From being a trusted aide of Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi to later aligning with Deepa Dasmunsi, Malakar rose through the ranks to become the working president of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress and, most recently, the Darjeeling District Congress President. His leadership played a pivotal role in Congress victories—most notably in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency and the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, where Congress’s Gangotri Dutta became mayor under his stewardship.
However, after days of speculation, the Pradesh Congress Committee officially removed Malakar from his post on Wednesday afternoon. Within an hour, Malakar was seen at Trinamool Bhavan in Kolkata, accepting the party flag in the presence of TMC state president Subrata Bakshi and state minister Arup Biswas. Malakar cited “development” and “the opportunity to work for the people” as his reasons for switching sides.
His decision sends ripples through North Bengal’s political fabric— not merely as a setback for Congress, whose influence in the region has diminished over recent years, but as a strategic gain for the Trinamool. Although Malakar has not delivered electoral victories for Congress in recent years, his strong grassroots presence continued to fragment opposition votes, making the battle in constituencies like Siliguri, Dabgram-Phulbari, Matigara-Naxalbari, and Phansidewa three-cornered. This often benefited the BJP, which capitalised on the division of anti-Trinamool votes.
Now, with Malakar aligning with the Trinamool, many analysts predict that the tripolar contests in North Bengal may narrow to direct face-offs, particularly between the BJP and Trinamool. TMC insiders believe that if Malakar’s personal support base — especially among Congress loyalists in Siliguri and its peripheries— shifts to Trinamool, it could consolidate anti-BJP votes and create a more formidable front against the saffron party.
Ironically, Malakar was long viewed as a staunch opponent of Trinamool politics in the region. His decision to join the very party he once resisted has raised eyebrows and redefined political loyalties in North Bengal.
While the Congress now finds itself further weakened in a region where its vote share has eroded significantly, the bigger concern might lie with the BJP. With Trinamool now arming itself with local heavyweights like Malakar, the road to 2026 just got more competitive in North Bengal’s political theatre.
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