In the 2011 elections, Kamakshya Prasad Singh Deo of Trinamool Congress defeated his nearest rival Koushik Majumder of CPI(M).

In the 2006 and 2001 state assembly elections, Nikhil Mukherjee of CPI(M) won the Purulia assembly seat defeating his nearest rivals Dr. Sukumar Roy of Congress and Kamakshya Prasad Singh Deo of Trinamool Congress respectively.

Contests in most years were multi cornered but only winners and runners are being mentioned.

Sukumar Roy of ICS defeated Mahadeb Mukherjee of CPI(M) in 1982.

Bibhuti Bhusan Dasgupta of Lok Sewak Sangh/ Independent won in 1969 and 1967.