1996 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election

The 1996 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, held in April, was a significant political event in the Indian state of West Bengal, marking the end of a prolonged political era dominated by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). This election was conducted in a single phase to elect 294 members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The CPI(M), under the leadership of Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, sought to maintain its power, having been in office since 1977. However, it faced a vigorous challenge from the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which gained momentum amid growing anti-incumbency sentiments. The election resulted in a hung assembly, prompting shifts in political alliances and setting the stage for subsequent electoral dynamics in the state.