With Suvendu Adhikari taking oath as West Bengal’s first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister, Bengal politics has entered an entirely new phase.

The BJP’s massive victory in the 2026 Assembly election has pushed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) into the Opposition for the first time in 15 years, triggering intense speculation over who could become the next Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly.

The LoP post has suddenly become one of the most politically significant positions in Bengal.

The face chosen by the Opposition will not only have to challenge the BJP government inside the Assembly, but also rebuild morale within the anti-BJP camp after the crushing electoral setback.

While no official announcement has been made yet, several names are already circulating in Bengal’s political circles.

Probable candidates for Bengal LoP

  1. Firhad Hakim
    One of the most senior and experienced TMC leaders, Firhad Hakim, remains a strong contender because of his administrative experience and close association with Mamata Banerjee. His organisational grip over Kolkata politics could make him a consensus face. In this election, Hakim won the Kolkata Port constituency with 1,01,226 votes, defeating BJP candidate Rakesh Singh by a margin of 56,080 votes. Singh secured 45,146 votes. 

     

  2. Naushad Siddique
    The Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA remains one of the most discussed names despite not belonging to TMC. If Opposition parties attempt to form a broader anti-BJP front within the Assembly, Siddique could become an important figure due to his growing minority support base. Popularly known as 'Bhaijaan', the ISF leader defeated TMC's Shawkat Mollah by a massive margin of 28,316 votes.

     

  3. Madan Mitra
    Known for his mass appeal and fiery political style, Madan Mitra remains one of the most recognisable TMC faces. Though controversial at times, his ability to connect with grassroots workers keeps him in the conversation. Mitra defeated Arup Choudhury (Pulak) of the BJP in Kamarhati, winning by a margin of 5,646 votes after all 11 rounds of counting.

     

  4. Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay
    A veteran parliamentarian and experienced Assembly face, Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay, is seen as a calm and strategic choice. His legislative experience may work in his favour if the party looks for stability. He defeated BJP candidate Shatarupa Chattopadhyay by 61,476 votes, becoming the only Bengal MLA set to serve his 10th consecutive term.

     

  5. Kunal Ghosh
    Kunal Ghosh has emerged as one of the sharpest BJP critics within TMC. His aggressive communication style and media presence make him a strong political counter-attacker against the saffron camp. Ghosh secured victory with 93,757 votes, defeating BJP candidate Partha Chaudhury, who polled 65,181 votes. TMC won by a margin of 28,576 votes in the constituency.
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    Kunal Ghosh
       
  6. Ritabrata Banerjee
    The former Rajya Sabha MP has steadily regained political visibility in recent years. Seen as articulate and ideologically aggressive, Ritabrata Banerjee could emerge as a surprise pick. Banerjee secured victory with 95,633 votes, defeating BJP candidate Rudra Prosad Banerjee, who polled 83,795 votes. TMC won by a margin of 11,838 votes in the constituency. 
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    Ritabrata Banerjee

Political observers believe the final decision will depend on what strategy Mamata Banerjee adopts in the post-defeat scenario.

If the TMC wants an aggressive street fighter, names like Madan Mitra or Kunal Ghosh may gain traction. If the focus is on legislative experience and organisational balance, Firhad Hakim or Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay could emerge ahead.

The LoP selection will also indicate the future direction of Bengal’s Opposition politics.

The person chosen will effectively become the principal face against the BJP government led by Suvendu Adhikari, who officially took oath as Chief Minister on May 9.

For now, Bengal’s political corridors remain abuzz with speculation, lobbying, and intense internal discussions as the battle for the crucial LoP chair begins.