A Prestige Battle for Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata : The by-election for the Nandigram seat in West Bengal has become a matter of prestige for Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. It also marks his first major test since assuming the office of Chief Minister. Dramatic developments have unfolded leading up to the by-election for this seat. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had initially fielded Sanchita Pradhan Dey as her candidate. However, after meeting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Sanchita Pradhan withdrew her nomination without citing any reason.

Subsequently, Mamata Banerjee announced her support for the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan. Shortly thereafter, Pradhan was arrested in connection with an old case. Rahul Gandhi targeted the Suvendu government over the arrest of his party’s candidate, terming it an assault on democracy.

Suvendu Adhikari has also played an emotional card regarding the Nandigram seat by fielding Hasirani Rath the mother of his former Personal Assistant (PA), Chandranath Rath as his candidate. Rath had been murdered in Madhyamgram on May 6, and the CBI is currently investigating the case.

The Nandigram seat is linked to Suvendu Adhikari’s prestige because it was here that he launched his political career in earnest. It was in Nandigram that he joined forces with Mamata Banerjee to spearhead the agitation against land acquisition from farmers. This movement led to the ousting of the Left Front government in Bengal and the formation of a TMC government led by Mamata Banerjee. Although Mamata Banerjee served as Chief Minister of Bengal for 15 years, Suvendu Adhikari eventually parted ways with her.

Suvendu Adhikari was elected as the MLA from Nandigram in 2016. In 2021, he defeated his own political mentor, Mamata Banerjee, in the Nandigram constituency. This marked a shift in the political dynamics of Nandigram. In 2026, Suvendu Adhikari contested elections from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur, securing victory once again in the Nandigram seat. However, she chose the Bhabanipur seat, which is why a by-election is being held for the Nandigram seat. Suvendu Adhikari, for his part, is determined not to let this seat slip out of his grasp at any cost.

By-elections for the Nandigram seat, as well as the Rejinagar seat, are scheduled for October 6. These by-elections will significantly impact Suvendu Adhikari’s image in Bengal. Since assuming office, Adhikari has taken several major decisions and attempted to bring about significant changes. Now, the electorate of these two constituencies will effectively pass judgment on whether or not they approve of his decisions. At the same time, Adhikari faces the pressure of ensuring that the outcome here does not mirror the result seen in Bihar’s Bankipur constituency.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)

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