Political activity has intensified in West Bengal as the campaign for the Rejinagar assembly constituency by-election enters a critical stage. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari addressed a major public gathering in the constituency to canvass support for Bharatiya Janata Party nominee Sakharav Sarkar. Speaking to the electorate in this minority-concentrated assembly segment, the Chief Minister remarked that electoral discourse should center on infrastructure expansion and livelihood generation rather than polarizing debates between religious communities. He urged the local voters not to waste their ballots on a fractured opposition that lacks direction.
Blueprint to Transform Rejinagar into a Model Constituency
Presenting his development blueprint from the dais, Suvendu Adhikari pledged that Rejinagar would be built into a model assembly seat if the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate secures a victory. He stated that he would personally oversee the comprehensive development of the region, aligning its progress with the standards set in Nandigram and Bhabanipur. To make administrative services more accessible to the public, the Chief Minister announced the planned establishment of a Netaji Subhash Seva Kendra within the constituency, which would serve as a single-window facility for residents seeking government benefits and essential citizen services.
Rehabilitation of Migrant Workers and Industrial Expansion
Addressing the pressing issue of regional labor migration, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari highlighted the administration's intent to bring back roughly 40,000 migrant workers within two years. To provide immediate employment security, he outlined a plan to guarantee 125 days of work over the next six months. The Chief Minister also announced the creation of an industrial zone in Rejinagar, revealing that land inspections for the project have already been concluded. He stated that manufacturing units and industrial factories are projected to commence operations in the area within a span of eighteen months, generating local jobs.
Coverage of Healthcare, Social Welfare, and Women's Schemes
The Chief Minister elaborated on the reach of social security initiatives across the constituency. He indicated that 2,01,555 individuals in Rejinagar have been enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme, a cohort that includes around 40,000 migrant laborers. Reviewing nutritional and financial support for women, he noted that nearly 70,000 women are currently benefiting from the Annapurna Yojana. Among these recipients, approximately 35,000 belong to the minority community. Adhikari stressed that welfare benefits and administrative resources will continue to be distributed fairly without discrimination against any community.
During his address, the Chief Minister also took aim at controversial public statements attributed to Humayun Kabir, who had reportedly prayed for Adhikari's early demise. Responding to the comment, Suvendu Adhikari observed that while differing political views and rigorous debates remain central to a democracy, resorting to personal animosity is unacceptable. He added that the electorate of Rejinagar would deliver an appropriate response to such rhetoric through the ballot box on polling day.
Disarray in the Opposition and a Six-Way Electoral Contest
Targeting rival political outfits, the Chief Minister pointed out the internal strife within the Trinamool Congress, alongside the diminished organizational capacity of the Left parties and the Congress. He raised past governance controversies involving the Trinamool administration, specifically citing allegations of irregularities in public sector employment, rural employment programs under MGNREGA, and housing allocation schemes.
The electoral battle in Rejinagar is set to witness a six-cornered fight among major factions. Contenders represent the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Mamata Banerjee faction of the Trinamool Congress, the rebel Trinamool faction headed by Ritabrata Banerjee, the Congress, and the CPI(M). Polling is scheduled to take place on October 6, following the vacancy created by the resignation of former legislator Humayun Kabir. Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir has fielded his son Golam Nabi Azad, while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC has nominated Rabiul Alam Chowdhury. The dissident TMC faction under Ritabrata Banerjee has put forward Safiuddin Sheikh (Safiuzzaman Sheikh). Meanwhile, the Congress is fielding Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi, and the Left Front has backed CPI(M) candidate Syed Asad Ali.
