Mamata Banerjee Not In Race, But All Eyes On Prestige Fight In Bengal's Nandigram

Suvendu Adhikari is trying not just to keep Nandigram, but has raised the stakes by challenging Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur

Reported by: Jayanta Ghoshal

Mar 31, 2026 20:40 pm IST Published On Mar 31, 2026 20:28 pm IST Last Updated On Mar 31, 2026 20:40 pm IST

Published On Mar 31, 2026 20:28 pm IST

Last Updated On Mar 31, 2026 20:40 pm IST

Nandigram has turned into one of the most closely watched political battlegrounds in West Bengal ahead of the assembly election in the state. The high stakes contest is between Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP's Leader of Opposition, and Pabitra Kar, a former aide of Adhikari who is now contesting as a candidate of the ruling Trinamool Congress. People view the election as a continuation of the dramatic 2021 battle, when Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram with a narrow margin.

Adhikari is trying not just to keep Nandigram, but has raised the stakes by challenging Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur, her stronghold in south Kolkata, turning the move into a direct political showdown between the two leaders. 

The BJP sees Adhikari - Mamata Banerjee's former aide who switched sides ahead of the 2021 election -- as a strong figure capable of challenging her dominance........

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