Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has appointed Pirzada Kasem Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif as the party’s general secretary. The appointment is being seen as a strategic step by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to consolidate the Muslim vote bank and counter the growing influence of the Indian Secular Front (ISF).

The decision carries considerable political weight, especially given the ISF’s performance in the last Assembly elections. Before the previous polls, Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif had launched the Indian Secular Front, which made a strong electoral debut. His brother, Naushad Siddiqui, won the Bhangar seat in South 24 Parganas- traditionally a TMC stronghold – marking a significant breach in the party’s Muslim support base.

Since then, the ISF has been steadily expanding its presence in several Muslim-majority areas beyond South 24 Parganas, raising concerns within the TMC about erosion of its traditional vote bank. In this context, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee’s move to bring Kasem Siddiqui into a prominent position within the party – without even a formal joining ceremony – is being seen as a strong signal of the importance the TMC places on retaining Muslim support.

Kasem Siddiqui, a well-regarded figure in Furfura Sharif, is closely related to Abbas and Naushad Siddiqui. His influence in the religious and social fabric of the region is expected to help TMC reconnect with voters who may have drifted toward the ISF. The appointment also suggests that Kasem Siddiqui could be given a larger role in the upcoming elections.

Mamata Banerjee’s outreach to Furfura Sharif has been evident in recent months. During Eid-ul-Fitr, she visited the religious site, where Kasem Siddiqui was seen alongside her. The two were also spotted together at an Iftar party in Kolkata’s Park Circus area, fueling speculation about a deeper political alliance in the works.

Given the ISF’s Muslim voter base and its roots in the religiously significant Furfura Sharif in Hooghly district, the TMC appears to be bracing for a serious electoral challenge. With this appointment, the party is attempting to reclaim lost ground and prevent further fragmentation of the Muslim vote in the state.