Full Breakdown
BJP Fields Mother of Slain Aide in Nandigram By-poll Amid TMC Split
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The Contesting Seats and Candidate Line-up
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly by-polls for Nandigram and Rejinagar are set for October 6, with counting on October 9. The vacancies arose after Chief Minister Suven du Adhikari retained Bhabanipur, having won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 election, and AJUP founder Humayun Kabir kept the Nowda seat after also winning Rejinagar.
The BJP nominated Hasirani Rath, mother of the late personal assistant Chandranath Rath (killed May 6, 2026), for Nandigram, and former Murshidabad district president Sakharav Sarkar for Rejinagar.
TMC’s mainstream faction announced Sanchita Pradhan (Dey) for Nandigram and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for Rejinagar. A rival TMC faction led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee named Mohammad Eteshamul Haque (Nandigram) and Safiuzzaman Sheikh (Rejinagar).
The Congress fielded Milan Pradhan (Nandigram) and Mohd. Abdullahil Kafi (Rejinagar). The Left Front presented Shanti Gopal Giri (CPI, Nandigram) and Sayeed Asad Ali (CPI(M), Rejinagar). The AJUP backed Golam Nabi Azad (Robin) for Rejinagar.
Nominations close September 16, with scrutiny on September 17 and withdrawals allowed until September 19.
Timeline of Key Developments
- May 6, 2026 – Chandranath Rath killed.
- August 7 – CBI files chargesheet naming 12 accused.
- June 3 – Speaker recognises 58 rebel TMC legislators as opposition.
- September 9 – EC issues by-poll notification.
- September 12 – Rebel TMC says it will withdraw its Nandigram candidate if Banerjee contests.
- September 13 – TMC announces its Nandigram and Rejinagar candidates.
- September 15 – BJP nominates Hasirani Rath and Sakharav Sarkar.
- October 6 – Polling day.
- October 9 – Counting of votes.
Key Figures
- Suven du Adhikari – Chief Minister, BJP.
- Hasirani Rath – BJP candidate, mother of slain aide, five-term panchayat leader.
- Sakharav Sarkar – Former Murshidabad BJP president.
- Mamata Banerjee – Chairperson of mainstream TMC.
- Ritabrata Banerjee – Leader of Opposition, head of rebel TMC faction.
Official Statements & Responses
Ritabrata Banerjee’s camp said it would step aside in Nandigram if Banerjee contests, calling it “better for the Assembly.”
The CBI, which took over the murder probe, filed a chargesheet on August 7 naming twelve suspects.
Criticism & Opposition
The CPI(M) spokesperson warned of “lack of progress” in Nandigram since the BJP’s rise, framing the by-poll as a test of the new government’s delivery record.
Why It Matters
The by-polls are a “prestige battle” for the BJP, which aims to consolidate the 207 seats it won in the 2026 assembly election. A win in Nandigram would reinforce Suven du Adhikari’s stronghold; success in Rejinagar would show the party’s reach in Murshidabad, a region traditionally contested by TMC and the Left.
The contests also mark the first electoral showdown between the two TMC factions, with the Election Commission’s pending decision on the party’s name and symbol likely to affect the opposition’s vote share.