As the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections approach, indicators suggest a fierce contest primarily between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Exit polls show a slight edge for the BJP, with projections indicating they could secure between 140-192 seats while the TMC may capture 95-180 seats. The election, set for May 4, is not just a numbers game but a battle of prestige between two prominent leaders: Mamata Banerjee, known for her charismatic leadership, and Suvendu Adhikari, leading the BJP's aggressive campaign.

In Kolkata's Bara Bazar, the sale of gulal, a colored powder used in Holi celebrations, has surged, particularly in saffron, which symbolizes BJP support, while demand for green, representing TMC, has significantly declined. Reports indicate that 90% of recent orders are for saffron gulal, with some merchants ceasing production of green altogether.

Additionally, betting markets reflect a close race, with platforms like Polymarket assigning a 52% probability to a BJP victory and 47-48% to the TMC, indicating no clear winner. Domestic betting markets like Phalodi Satta Bazar suggest a narrow lead for TMC with 158-161 seats, while BJP is projected to secure 127-130 seats.