Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari, cast his vote in Nandigram on Thursday and reiterated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has “no chance” of returning to power in the ongoing Assembly elections.
With Adhikari challenging Banerjee, the elections have turned into a direct test of strength between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress. The outcome is expected to shape Bengal’s political direction for years to come.
#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | State LoP & BJP Candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari casts his vote at a polling station in Nandigram
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is contesting against him from the Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency. pic.twitter.com/pEEbueML2b
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
After voting, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Adhikari, said a political shift in the state is inevitable. “Parivartan hoga. If a change does not take place this time, Sanatana in Bengal will be finished. The Election Commission is doing good work, but there are some goons everywhere. Our polling agent has been arrested. Strict action should be taken immediately,” he said. He further said that the results will show how the SIR process removed the fake voters from the state. He claimed that the ruling party would struggle without the alleged “fake voters.”
#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | State LoP & BJP Candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari says, “Parivartan hoga. If a change does not take place this time, Sanatana in Bengal will be finished. The Election Commission is doing good work, but there are some… pic.twitter.com/8KwKCCkjNM
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
Allegations of irregularities, callc for action
The BJP leader also raised concerns about isolated incidents during polling. He alleged that party workers faced trouble in some areas and claimed one polling agent had been detained.
He said, “The Election Commission is doing good work, but there are some goons everywhere. Our polling agent has been arrested. Strict action should be taken immediately.”
At the same time, he acknowledged that the polling process was largely smooth. “I have spoken to our agents. Voting is underway peacefully in most places,” he said.
Suvendu vs Mamata
The election has once again set the stage for a direct political contest between Adhikari and Banerjee, one of the most closely watched rivalries in West Bengal politics.
Adhikari is contesting from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. In Bhabanipur, he is directly challenging Banerjee in her long-held stronghold. The seat has been associated with the Chief Minister since 2011, making the contest politically significant.
In Nandigram, Adhikari is seeking to retain his influence, this time as a BJP candidate, after earlier winning the seat under the Trinamool Congress banner in 2016.
Rivalry rooted in 2021 clash
The face-off between Suvendu Adhikari and Mamata Banerjee drew nationwide attention during the 2021 Assembly elections. In a direct contest in Nandigram, Adhikari defeated Banerjee by a slender margin of 1,956 votes, securing 1,10,764 votes against her 1,08,808.
Despite that loss, Banerjee led her party to a sweeping victory across the state, while the BJP emerged as the main opposition.
Phase 1 polling underway across state
Voting for the first phase of the Assembly elections began at 7 a.m. across 152 constituencies spread over 16 districts. According to the Election Commission of India, over 1,400 candidates are contesting in this phase.
Authorities have urged voters to participate in large numbers, calling the election a crucial moment for the state’s future. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.