{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "BJP Secures Decisive Win in Bengal Nandigram Bypoll as Congress Candidate Defeated by 122,753 Votes",
  "summary": "BJP candidate Hasirani Rath won the Nandigram Assembly by-election by a massive margin of 122,753 votes over Congress contender Milan Pradhan, retaining the seat vacated by Suvendu Adhikari.",
  "content": "The results for the high-stakes Nandigram Assembly by-election in West Bengal are out, with the Bharatiya Janata Party clinching a commanding victory. Official data released by the Election Commission shows that BJP nominee Hasirani Rath defeated Congress candidate Milan Pradhan by a massive margin of 122,753 votes. The electoral race also featured CPIM contender Shantigopal Giri, though the final outcome concluded in a decisive sweep for the BJP.\n\nSeat Vacated Following Suvendu Adhikari's Resignation\nNandigram has long been regarded as the traditional stronghold of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. During the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Suvendu Adhikari contested and won two separate constituencies: Nandigram and Bhabanipur in Kolkata. Following his dual triumph, he chose to retain the Bhabanipur seat and formally resigned from his position representing Nandigram, necessitating the by-poll. Notably, Suvendu Adhikari had previously defeated Mamata Banerjee from this very seat in the 2021 state elections.\n\nTMC Backing and Legal Drama Surrounding Congress Candidate\nThe by-election witnessed intense political maneuvering when the candidate initially fielded by the Trinamool Congress withdrew from the race ahead of voting. Following that withdrawal, Mamata Banerjee decided against fielding another TMC candidate and instead extended full political backing to Congress nominee Milan Pradhan. In a rapid twist of events, Milan Pradhan was arrested mere hours after receiving Mamata Banerjee's endorsement. He subsequently approached the judiciary, where the High Court granted him bail valid until October 21 to allow him to contest the election.\n\nHasirani Rath's Candidacy and Background\nTo retain the key constituency, the BJP fielded Hasirani Rath as its standard-bearer. Hasirani Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Chandranath Rath was tragically shot dead on May 4 earlier this year. Backed by strong local support, Hasirani Rath converted the emotional and political contest into a historic margin of 122,753 votes, reaffirming the BJP's firm grip over the prestigious coastal constituency.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe resounding BJP victory in the Nandigram by-election directly reshapes regional political dynamics and formalizes new administrative representation for local residents.\n\n• Across India: The outcome highlights challenges within opposition alliances when attempting seat-sharing arrangements against dominant regional forces. National observers will evaluate how local dynamics disrupt joint opposition strategies ahead of future legislative contests.\n• In West Bengal: Voters in Nandigram now have Hasirani Rath as their newly elected MLA to oversee constituency issues and public works. The result also demonstrates the continued political dominance of Suvendu Adhikari in his home turf.\n• For local administration: With the conclusion of the by-poll, the lifting of the model code of conduct allows routine civic initiatives and development projects in Nandigram to resume. Local residents can directly approach their newly certified legislative representative for administrative grievances.\n• For opposition strategy: The heavy defeat of the Congress nominee despite Trinamool Congress support will force both parties to re-examine their coalition effectiveness. Grassroots party workers and state leadership will need to rethink future seat-level alignments.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe Nandigram by-election and its sweeping verdict were shaped by sequential constitutional obligations and dramatic regional political developments.\n\n• Constituency vacancy: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won both Nandigram and Kolkata's Bhabanipur in the 2026 state elections. Choosing to retain Bhabanipur, he resigned from Nandigram, necessitating a fresh by-election under statutory rules.\n• TMC candidate withdrawal: The Trinamool Congress nominee withdrew from the contest before polling took place, leading Mamata Banerjee to back Congress contender Milan Pradhan instead.\n• Arrest and court intervention: Shortly after gaining Trinamool support, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested by law enforcement, requiring High Court intervention to secure bail until October 21 so he could campaign.\n• Sympathy and organizational dominance: The BJP nominated Hasirani Rath, the mother of Suvendu Adhikari's former aide Chandranath Rath who was fatally shot on May 4. This nomination unified the party's cadre and generated considerable local sympathy in an already established bastion.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who won the Nandigram Assembly by-election and by what margin?\nBJP candidate Hasirani Rath won the election by defeating Congress nominee Milan Pradhan by a margin of 122,753 votes.\n\n2. Why was the Nandigram Assembly seat vacant?\nChief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in 2026, and he vacated Nandigram to retain Bhabanipur.\n\n3. Whom did Mamata Banerjee endorse in this by-election?\nAfter the Trinamool Congress nominee withdrew from the contest, Mamata Banerjee extended support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.\n\n4. What legal situation did Congress candidate Milan Pradhan face?\nMilan Pradhan was arrested hours after Mamata Banerjee announced support for him, and the High Court subsequently granted him bail until October 21.\n\n5. What is the background of BJP candidate Hasirani Rath?\nHasirani Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari who was shot dead on May 4.\n\n6. Which other political party fielded a candidate in Nandigram?\nThe CPIM participated in the by-election by fielding Shantigopal Giri as its candidate.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/west-bengal/west-bengal-ke-nandigram-upachunava-men-bjp-ki-bari-jita-congress-pratyashi-1-22-753-voton-se-parajita-45463",
  "category": "West Bengal",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-09",
  "tags": [
    "Nandigram Bypoll",
    "West Bengal Politics",
    "BJP",
    "Suvendu Adhikari",
    "Hasirani Rath",
    "Congress",
    "Milan Pradhan",
    "Mamata Banerjee"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}