The town is famously associated with ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, fondly remembered as Barkatda, a towering figure in Indian politics. As Railways Minister under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Barkatda played a vital role in launching the Kolkata Metro and Circular Railway, and in transforming Malda into a major railway junction. The region is equally renowned for its luscious mangoes, especially the Fazli variety, which enjoys international acclaim.
Established in 1951, Maldaha Assembly constituency has gone to the polls 18 times, including a by-election in 1972 when the sitting MLA stepped down to make way for newly appointed Chief Minister Siddhartha Shankar Ray. The Congress party has been the most successful here, winning 11 times, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) has claimed six victories. However, both parties have seen their influence wane in recent years. CPI last won in 2011, and Congress in 2016. The 2021 Assembly elections marked a turning point, with BJPтАЩs Gopal Chandra Saha defeating TMCтАЩs Ujjwal Kumar Choudhury by 15,456 votes. Congress finished a distant third, and CPI did not contest, having joined hands with Congress in an alliance.
BJPтАЩs rise in Maldaha has been consistent. Khagen Murmu, contesting on a BJP ticket, won the Maldaha Uttar Lok Sabha seat in both 2019 and 2024. The party led in the Maldaha Assembly segment by 54,345 votes in 2019 and widened the margin to 63,429 votes in 2024, reinforcing its growing foothold in the region.
Maldaha had 232,531 registered voters in the 2021 Assembly elections, including approximately 57,900 Muslims (24.90 per cent), 67,434 Scheduled Caste voters (29 per cent), and 22,067 Scheduled Tribe voters (9.49 per cent). The constituency is predominantly rural, with 63.86 per cent rural voters and 36.14 per cent urban voters. Voter turnout has consistently exceeded 80 per cent. By the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the number of registered voters rose to 245,962.
The terrain of Maldaha is largely flat and fertile, lying in the alluvial plains of the Mahananda and Kalindi rivers. The Ganga enters West Bengal near Manikchak in Malda district, contributing to the regionтАЩs susceptibility to seasonal flooding. Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy, with rice, jute, legumes, and oilseeds as the main crops. Malda is the largest producer of high-quality jute in India, and its mango orchards and mulberry plantations support a thriving mango trade and silk industry. The district also has a rich tradition of folk culture, with gombhira performances reflecting the joys and sorrows of everyday life.
MaldaтАЩs historical significance is underscored by its colonial past. The British established industries along the Mahananda River in the 17th century, naming the area English Bazar or Angrezabad. The ruins of ancient capitals like Gour and Pandua lie nearby, adding to the districtтАЩs cultural depth.
Maldaha is well connected by rail and road. Malda Town railway station is a key junction for trains heading to North Bengal and the Northeast. English Bazar, the district headquarters, lies just 5 km from Old Malda. Other nearby towns include Manikchak (35 km), Kaliachak (30 km), and Gazole (25 km). The state capital, Kolkata, is approximately 347 km to the south.
With three back-to-back victories, twice in parliamentary and once in Assembly polls, the BJP will go to the 2026 Assembly elections with renewed confidence and high morale of its workers. However, the BJP would hope for the revival of the Left Front-Congress alliance to erode the TMCтАЩs votes, which would be the way for it to retain the Maldaha Assembly seat.
(Ajay Jha)
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