New Delhi, March 10 -- West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: As Assembly election season draws near in the eastern state, so does defections among political leaders. MLA from Haldia constituency Tapasi Mondal has made the second switch of her political career. The Haldia MLA was elected as a Communist Party of India (Marxist) member in 2016, but later in 2020 joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On 10 March 2025, Tapasi Mondal joined CM Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), a party she had vocally condemned in 2021.

The next West Bengal Legislative Assembly election is expected to be held in March or April 2026. This election will determine the composition of the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly for the next five-ye...