West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari intensified his campaign in Nandigram on October 2, urging voters to ensure that Trinamool Congress candidates lose their deposits in the October 6 Assembly by-election.

Addressing a BJP rally at Birulia in support of party candidate Hasirani Rath, Adhikari also sought to reassure voters that his political association with Nandigram would continue despite his decision to vacate the Assembly seat after retaining Bhabanipur.

Suvendu Adhikari asks Nandigram voters to defeat TMC candidates

During the rally, Adhikari appealed to voters to vote in a manner that would result in every Trinamool Congress candidate losing their deposit. The statement was part of his campaign for BJP nominee Hasirani Rath.

“My relationship in Nandigram is for 24 years. It will not end. You will have me for the next 55 months,” Adhikari said, according to The Statesman.

He also said that his offices in the area would remain operational and that services associated with his political work would continue. These remarks were made in the context of the upcoming by-election necessitated by his vacating the seat.

Why is Nandigram going to a bypoll?

The Nandigram Assembly seat became vacant after Adhikari, who won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, retained Bhabanipur and vacated Nandigram.

The Election Commission subsequently scheduled a by-election for the constituency. Polling is set for October 6, while counting is scheduled for October 9.

Who is contesting the Nandigram bypoll?

The BJP has nominated Hasirani Rath, the mother of Chandranath Rath, who was an aide of Adhikari and was killed in May 2026. The BJP announced her candidature in September.

The Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee has nominated Sanchita Pradhan Dey from Nandigram. Mamata Banerjee herself is not contesting the by-election.

The Left has also fielded Santigopal Giri from Nandigram on a CPI ticket.

Adhikari says his association with Nandigram will continue

Adhikari sought to present his decision to vacate Nandigram as a consequence of retaining another Assembly seat rather than a withdrawal from the constituency.

He said he would continue working for Nandigram and told supporters that his political relationship with the constituency would remain in place for the remainder of the Assembly term.

The remarks come as the BJP campaigns for Hasirani Rath in a constituency that has remained closely associated with Adhikari's political career.

Adhikari backs Hasirani Rath's candidature

During the rally, Adhikari described Rath as a candidate with experience in the panchayat system and said she would remain accessible to voters.

Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, who served as an aide to Adhikari and was killed in Madhyamgram in May. The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the killing, according to earlier reports.

Adhikari has repeatedly referred to the killing during his campaign for the Nandigram bypoll. Claims made by political leaders regarding the case should be distinguished from findings established through the ongoing investigation.

Adhikari makes allegations against Trinamool Congress

In his speech, Adhikari accused the Trinamool Congress of corruption and alleged that the party had been responsible for what he described as oppression. He also referred to arrests in corruption-related cases.

These were political allegations made during a campaign speech and should not be treated as independently established findings unless supported by court records or official investigative findings.

What did Adhikari say about Chandranath Rath's killing?

Adhikari alleged that Chandranath Rath was targeted because of his association with him. He also made claims about the alleged involvement of individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and referred to an alleged payment of Rs 2 crore.

The killing is under investigation, and the allegations made during the campaign remain claims by Adhikari unless independently established by investigators or a court.

Nandigram bypoll schedule

  • Constituency: Nandigram Assembly constituency
  • State: West Bengal
  • Polling date: October 6, 2026
  • Counting date: October 9, 2026
  • BJP candidate: Hasirani Rath
  • TMC candidate: Sanchita Pradhan Dey
  • Left candidate: Santigopal Giri

The Election Commission announced the October 6 polling date for Nandigram and Rejinagar along with by-elections in other constituencies. Counting is scheduled for October 9.

Hasirani Rath's candidature and court challenge

Hasirani Rath's candidature also became the subject of a legal challenge after allegations were raised about discrepancies in her election affidavit relating to her age and educational qualification.

The Calcutta High Court subsequently dismissed the Congress petition challenging her candidature. The court's decision allowed Rath's candidature to proceed for the October 6 bypoll.

What happens next in Nandigram?

The campaign will continue until the scheduled campaign deadline before polling. Voters in the Nandigram Assembly constituency will cast their ballots on October 6, followed by counting on October 9.

The by-election will determine who represents Nandigram in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for the remainder of the current term.