Suvendu Adhikari’s Former Aide’s Mother Emerges As BJP’s Nandigram Candidate

The BJP has named Hasirani Rath, mother of late Chandranath Rath, a former aide of Suvendu Adhikari, as its candidate for the Nandigram Assembly by-election, ending weeks of speculation over the party’s choice. The party has also fielded Shakharav Sarkar from Rejinagar as it finalised candidates for the two high-profile bypolls.

Hasirani Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, a native of Chandipur in East Midnapore who had served as a personal assistant to Suvendu Adhikari. Chandranath Rath was killed on May 6, two days after the 2026 election results were declared, in an attack in the Madhyamgram area of North 24 Parganas. He was reportedly shot by motorcycle-borne assailants while travelling as a pillion rider, while the rider was also injured.

Following Chandranath Rath’s death, local residents had demanded that his mother be considered for the Nandigram Assembly seat. Suvendu Adhikari had subsequently met the Rath family and assured them of justice. Hasirani Rath has continued to express her faith in Adhikari, and the BJP has now formally chosen her to contest from Nandigram, Assembly Constituency No. 210.

Also Read: CPI-M Revises Candidate Selection Process Ahead Of Bengal Civic Elections

Hasirani Rath has a political background despite coming from a middle-class family. She has been associated with politics since 1998 and has contested panchayat elections in the past, besides serving two terms as a panchayat member. Her nomination brings a grassroots political figure into the BJP’s campaign and reflects the party’s recent emphasis on candidates with personal connections to prominent political or social issues.

The BJP’s decision comes after the Congress, CPM and different factions of the Trinamool Congress announced their candidates for the by-elections. The party has previously adopted a similar approach in West Bengal, including during the 2026 Assembly elections when it fielded Ratna Debnath, the mother of an RG Kar medic, from Panihati. The choice of Hasirani Rath is expected to make the Nandigram contest particularly significant given the political prominence of the constituency.

The Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly by-elections are scheduled to be held on October 6, with September 16 set as the last date for filing nominations. Hasirani Rath is scheduled to submit her nomination papers in the presence of Suvendu Adhikari. Reacting to her candidature, she said she would accept any responsibility assigned to her by the BJP, describing the party as an organised organisation and referring to Adhikari as her guardian.

Also Read: Nitin Nabin Leads BJP’s Gen Z Outreach And Cadre Mobilisation In Uttarakhand