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BJP Fields Mother of Murdered Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide for Nandigram Bypoll
Confirmed
In Short: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded the mother of a slain personal assistant for the upcoming bypoll in Nandigram, West Bengal.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a significant move in West Bengal’s Nandigram Assembly seat by fielding Hasirani Rath, the mother of Chandranath Rath, who served as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant. Chandranath Rath was murdered in May, shortly after the Assembly election results were announced. The Election Commission had announced the bypolls on September 9, following which the BJP’s candidate list was awaited.
Hasirani Rath, who will file her nomination papers on Tuesday in the presence of Suvendu Adhikari, is set to contest the October 6 bypoll. The ruling BJP has fielded her as its candidate for the Nandigram assembly seat, a move that adds an emotional and political dimension to the contest. According to reports, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) offered to withdraw its Nandigram candidate in favor of the Congress in exchange for the Congress withdrawing from Rejinagar. However, the TMC candidate, Pratibha Kar, received 117,636 votes, while Hasirani Rath secured 127,301 votes in the latest election.
Nandigram has traditionally been considered a stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari, who won the Nandigram and Kolkata’s Bhabanipur seats in the 2026 Assembly election. After becoming chief minister, Adhikari vacated the Nandigram seat, leading to the bypoll. The bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9. The BJP leader stated that Hasirani Rath has been fielded from Nandigram and Sakharav Sarkar from Rejinagar.
Hasirani Rath, who offered prayers at the Siddheshwar Shiv Temple and Jankinath Temple in Nandigram before the BJP formally announced her name, expressed her happiness at being chosen by the party and her confidence in winning the Nandigram assembly seat by a margin of 1.10 lakh votes. She said, "Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is of our family," adding that she would discharge any responsibility entrusted to her by the party with sincerity.
What's confirmed
- The BJP has made a major move in West Bengal’s Nandigram Assembly seat by fielding Hasirani Rath, the mother of Chandranath Rath, who served as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant.
- In the latest Assembly election, Chief Minister Adhikari won from both his traditional Nandigram seat and Bhabanipur.
What's still developing
- ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjee-led TMC announces candidates for Bengal, Assam bypolls Adhikari, who vacated the Nandigram seat, is likely to lead a rally before Hasirani Rath files her nomination in Haldia.
- Bhupesh Baghel vs Vijay Sharma on PM Awas Figures The BJP's decision to field his mother gives the Nandigram contest an additional emotional and political dimension.