West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has described the October 6 Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar as a “test” for minority voters, asking them to decide whether they want to remain with the government and work with the chief minister. The remarks were made during campaigning ahead of the two bypolls and have become a point of political debate in West Bengal.

What did Suvendu Adhikari say?

While addressing a gathering during the Nandigram bypoll campaign, Adhikari addressed minority voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar and asked whether they wanted to “stay with the government.”

He said that if minority voters wanted to remain with the government and work “hand in hand” with the chief minister, October 6 would be their “test”, adding that it would be up to them whether they “pass or fail”. His remarks were reported by multiple news organisations covering the bypoll campaign.

Why are Nandigram and Rejinagar going to polls?

The two constituencies are holding bypolls after Suvendu Adhikari and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) leader Humayun Kabir vacated their respective Assembly seats after winning more than one constituency in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election.

The Election Commission has scheduled polling in both constituencies for October 6, with counting of votes scheduled for October 9.

Nandigram bypoll

The BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath from Nandigram. Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari who was killed shortly after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results were declared.

The BJP's decision to field Rath has added a personal dimension to the Nandigram campaign. The Indian Express reported that the Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case relating to the killing of Chandranath Rath.

Nandigram is also politically significant because Adhikari had represented the constituency before vacating the seat for the bypoll.

Rejinagar bypoll

Rejinagar is located in Murshidabad district and has a sizeable minority electorate. The BJP has fielded Shakharav Sarkar from the constituency for the October 6 bypoll.

The contest in Rejinagar has also involved competing political factions and multiple parties, making the constituency an important part of the state's current bypoll campaign.

Political reaction to the remarks

Adhikari's remarks have drawn criticism from political opponents, particularly over his reference to minority voters and the description of the election as a “test”. NDTV reported that his comments prompted criticism from the Trinamool Congress.

Supporters of Adhikari and the BJP have presented the remarks in the context of seeking broader support for the government in constituencies where minority voters form a significant part of the electorate.

The political significance of the comments therefore depends partly on how voters interpret the relationship between electoral support, representation and the government's approach to different communities.

Minority voters in the two constituencies

Both constituencies have sizeable minority populations. NDTV reported that Muslims account for about 65% of the population in Rejinagar and about 26% in Nandigram.

This demographic composition makes minority voters an important electoral constituency in both bypolls and explains why political parties have been specifically addressing them during the campaign.

Earlier political remarks cited in the debate

Alt News has also referred to earlier statements by Adhikari while discussing his latest remarks. These include comments made during the 2025 election campaign and statements following the 2026 Assembly election.

Alt News reported that in December 2025, Adhikari made a distinction between Muslim voters and Hindu and Adivasi voters while discussing political support. The publication also cited remarks he made after winning the Bhabanipur Assembly seat, where he characterised the result in terms of religious communities.

These earlier remarks are part of the political context cited by Alt News in its assessment of Adhikari's latest comments. They should be understood as previously reported political statements rather than as evidence of how all voters in the communities concerned voted.

What happens next?

Polling in Nandigram and Rejinagar is scheduled for October 6, 2026. Votes will be counted on October 9.

The two bypolls will provide the electorate in these constituencies an opportunity to choose their respective Assembly representatives. The campaign is expected to continue focusing on local issues, candidate selection, government performance and competing political positions before polling day.

FAQs

When are the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls?

Polling is scheduled for October 6, 2026. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9, 2026.

Why are bypolls being held in Nandigram and Rejinagar?

The bypolls were necessitated after Suvendu Adhikari and Humayun Kabir vacated the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats respectively after winning multiple seats in the 2026 Assembly election.

What did Suvendu Adhikari say about minority voters?

Adhikari described October 6 as a “test” for minority voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar and asked whether they wanted to remain with the government and work with the chief minister.

Who is the BJP candidate in Nandigram?

The BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, the mother of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari who was killed shortly after the 2026 Assembly election results.

Who is the BJP candidate in Rejinagar?

The BJP has fielded Shakharav Sarkar as its candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll.

Where are Nandigram and Rejinagar located?

Nandigram is in Purba Medinipur district, while Rejinagar is in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.