West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made a direct appeal to minority voters in Nandigram on Friday, urging them to support the BJP in the October 6 bypoll and assuring them that they would not be forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram”. Addressing rallies in the constituency, Adhikari said voters could instead say “Bharat Mata ki Jai” if they preferred, as he sought to build what he described as a political “friendship” with minority communities. Speaking at Birulia Bazar, an area with a sizeable Muslim population, Adhikari described October 6 as an opportunity for minority voters to extend a “hand of friendship” to the BJP.
He said the party uses the “Jai Shri Ram” slogan but would not compel anyone to use it. Adhikari also made similar appeals at other meetings in Nandigram, including Debipur and Narayanchak, where he asked minority voters to cooperate with his government and said they could be partners in its development work. The outreach comes as campaigning enters its final phase ahead of the Nandigram bypoll. Adhikari argued that minority voters would gain little by continuing to support the Trinamool Congress, claiming that the party had “ceased to exist”. His remarks referred to the Election Commission’s allocation of different names and symbols to factions contesting the bypolls.
The BJP leader said the political situation had changed and urged minority voters to consider a new relationship with his government. These statements were part of his campaign pitch and represent his own claims about the political standing of the TMC. Adhikari is campaigning for BJP candidate Hasirani Rath, the mother of his former personal assistant Chandranath Rath, who was killed in a shooting on the outskirts of Kolkata on May 6, a day after the state Assembly election results were declared. During his campaign speeches, Adhikari linked the bypoll to the killing and alleged that Chandranath was targeted because of his association with him. He also referred to the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation and claimed that arrests had already been made.
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His allegations concerning the murder and the investigation have been presented as part of his campaign argument. Alongside his appeal to minority voters, Adhikari highlighted development and employment issues in Nandigram. He spoke about expanding government assistance and improving infrastructure and connectivity, including commitments related to railway services and the Odisha Coast Canal. He also said his government would focus on bringing migrant workers back to the state and creating employment opportunities for young people. Adhikari further referred to recruitment measures, saying appointment letters would be issued to newly selected police constables and promising additional government appointments while maintaining recruitment norms and transparency.
The Nandigram contest has particular political significance for Adhikari, who represented the constituency as an MLA from 2016 and retained Bhabanipur after winning both seats in the 2026 Assembly election. He subsequently vacated Nandigram, leading to the bypoll. During his latest campaign, he said he would be present in the constituency on counting day and asked voters to support his government. The bypoll in Nandigram, along with the Rejinagar bypoll in Murshidabad, is scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9. Adhikari’s latest remarks put minority outreach, religious slogans, development and the BJP’s political appeal at the centre of the final phase of campaigning in Nandigram. His assurance that voters would not be compelled to chant “Jai Shri Ram” was accompanied by a request that they work with his government and support the BJP candidate. The comments come as political parties make their final efforts to mobilise voters before polling and as the constituency prepares for the October 6 bypoll.
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