Kolkata: The Referendum Legation has spoken by-elections on 3 vacant Rajya Sabha seats of West Bengal. According to the commission, voting will take place on July 24 and the results will moreover be supposed in the evening of the same day. These three seats had wilt vacant due to the resignation of TMC MPs. Now everyone's vision are on who TMC will field on these seats.
Why were all three seats vacant?
These Rajya Sabha seats have wilt vacant without the resignation of TMC MPs Sukhendu Shekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik. The three leaders had submitted their resignations at variegated times in the month of June. These resignations had created a stir in state politics and moreover fueled discussions of discontent within the party.
What is the well-constructed program of the Referendum Commission?
According to the Referendum Legation notification, voting will be conducted from 9 am to 4 pm on July 24. Without the end of voting, counting of votes will take place on the same day and the names of the winning candidates will be declared. This by-election is stuff conducted to fill the vacant seats of Rajya Sabha.
What allegations did Sukhendu Shekhar Roy make?
First, senior leader Sukhendu Shekhar Roy resigned from both the party and the Rajya Sabha. In his letter he raised questions on the working style of the party. Alleged that self-indulgence is increasing, incidents versus women have increased and old loyal workers are stuff ignored. He moreover mentioned the RG Kar Medical College issue and said that the party has deviated from its vital principles.
Why is this referendum important for TMC?
These three seats of Rajya Sabha are considered very important for Trinamool Congress. Amidst the recent political developments and differences within the party, this by-election is moreover stuff considered as a test of TMC's political strength. Due to having majority in the Assembly, the party's position is definitely strong, but everyone's vision will remain on the selection of candidates and referendum strategy.
What political message will the by-election give?
Political analysts believe that this by-election will not be limited to filling vacant seats only, but it will moreover indicate the waffly political picture of Bengal. Along with maintaining representation in the Rajya Sabha, this will moreover be an opportunity for TMC to show organisational unity. At the same time, the opposition is moreover keeping an eye on this unshortened incident, considering it may have an impact on the politics of the state in the coming times.
Election Schedule
Bye-Elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) from West Bengal – 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Issue of Notification | 07 July 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Last Date for Filing Nominations | 14 July 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Scrutiny of Nominations | 15 July 2026 (Wednesday) |
| Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature | 17 July 2026 (Friday) |
| Date of Poll | 24 July 2026 (Friday) |
| Hours of Poll | 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM |
| Counting of Votes | 24 July 2026 (Friday) at 05:00 PM |
| Completion of Referendum Process | 27 July 2026 (Monday) |

