A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Nandigram has joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, in a move that could set up a high-profile contest against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Pabitra Kar, formerly associated with the BJP in the Boyal-I Gram Panchayat under Nandigram-II Block in Purba Medinipur, officially switched allegiance on Tuesday in the presence of TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
According to party insiders, Kar is expected to contest the Assembly polls from Nandigram on a TMC ticket. The party highlighted that Kar’s decision was motivated by dissatisfaction with the BJP’s approach in West Bengal. In a statement posted on X, TMC described Kar’s shift as a commitment to the welfare of the state’s people under the party’s philosophy of Maa-Mati-Manush.
"Dissatisfied with BJP’s anti-people stance, he has chosen to stand firmly beside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and work in the true spirit of Maa-Mati-Manush for the welfare of the people," the party said, extending a warm welcome and expressing confidence in Kar’s dedication to public service.
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The development follows closely after the BJP announced that Adhikari will contest the Assembly elections from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur constituencies. The latter seat is represented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is expected to seek reelection there. If Banerjee contests from Bhabanipur again, it would mark the second time she faces Adhikari in a direct electoral battle since the 2021 elections.
Adhikari had previously defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in 2021 to secure his second consecutive term. Banerjee subsequently won the Bhabanipur by-election, allowing her to retain the Chief Ministership for a third consecutive term. Political analysts note that Kar’s defection could intensify the Nandigram contest, potentially reshaping the electoral dynamics in Purba Medinipur.
As of now, the BJP has not issued any official response regarding Kar’s departure, and it remains unclear whether the party will take disciplinary action against him ahead of the Assembly elections. Observers say the shift highlights the fluid political alignments in West Bengal as parties prepare for a high-stakes election season.
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