While a pair of assembly bypolls will not shift the power balance in West Bengal, the high-stakes battles in Nandigram and Rejinagar serve as a critical litmus test for the state’s political landscape. From defending Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s home turf to testing new opposition alliances, these elections carry strategic weight far beyond their vote counts.
Counting is underway amid tight security at designated centres in both constituencies. Officials began with postal ballots and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPBs), before moving on to votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
As the initial round of counting takes place, the BJP is leading in both seats. BJP's Hasirani Rath is hoping to retain the party's stronghold in Nandigram, while Shankharavh Sarkar is currently leading in Rejinagar.
Rejinagar witnessed a multi-cornered contest involving the BJP, TMC, Congress, CP(M) and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP). AJUP's Humayun Kabir vacated the constituency after retaining Nowda, triggering the by-election.
In Rejinagar, the contest features BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar, Mamata-led TMC nominee Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, rival TMC candidate Safiuzzaman Sheikh, Congress's Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi, CPI(M)'s Syed Asad Ali and AJUP nominee Golam Nabi Azad, son of Humayun Kabir.
In Nandigram, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had defeated TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 assembly elections. Adhikari won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 Assembly elections. He retained Bhabanipur and vacated Nandigram, triggering the by-election.
AJUP fielded Kabir’s son, Gulam Nabi Azad. Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi was the candidate fielded by Congress.
Both constituencies recorded voter turnout of around 80% on Tuesday, with Nandigram registering 80.89% and Rejinagar 80.08%.
Opposition parties, however, alleged voter intimidation, irregularities at polling booths and the removal of their polling agents. They demanded fresh polling, while the BJP rejected the allegations and maintained that voting had been peaceful.
One of the major flashpoints during polling was the arrest of AJUP chief Humayun Kabir following a confrontation with police in Rejinagar.
