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Trinamool Bets on Ex-BJP Leader Pabitra Kar to Challenge Suvendu in Nandigram

The Trinamool Congress has fielded former BJP leader and local Pabitra Kar as its candidate against Suvendu Adhikari in the high-stakes Nandigram constituency. Kar, once a close confidant of Adhikari, was inducted into TMC just hours before the candidate list announcement. Political observers believe Kar's deep local roots and knowledge of Adhikari's strategies make him a formidable challenger in this Adhikari family stronghold. The contest is set for April 23, while Adhikari will also be campaigning in Bhabanipur, where he faces Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Key Points: TMC Fields Pabitra Kar vs Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram

  • TMC's surprise candidate pick
  • Ex-BJP leader & Adhikari confidant
  • Nandigram votes April 23
  • Adhikari also contests Bhabanipur
  • 2021 win margin was under 2000 votes
2 min read

Constituency watch: Trinamool fields Pabitra Kar in Nandigram

TMC names ex-BJP leader Pabitra Kar to contest Nandigram against Suvendu Adhikari in key West Bengal assembly battle.

"Kar is the best possible option against Adhikari, considering his long grassroots association - Political Observer"

Kolkata, March 20

Even a couple of hours before the announcement of the Trinamool Congress's candidate list on March 17 for the forthcoming two‑phase Assembly elections in West Bengal next month, no one had any idea who would be the party's candidate at Nandigram in East Midnapore district against sitting two‑time legislator and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Things became clear just an hour before the announcement, as the party hurriedly arranged the joining of Pabitra Kar, a local BJP leader from Nandigram and once a close confidant of Adhikari, to Trinamool Congress.

The grand welcome given to Kar in the presence of Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee made it evident that Kar would be the ruling party's bet against Adhikari in his stronghold.

Later, the candidate list confirmed Kar as the Trinamool nominee from Nandigram.

Political observers feel that, given the current scenario in East Midnapore, especially Nandigram, Kar is the best possible option against Adhikari, considering his long grassroots association and awareness of Adhikari's strengths and weaknesses.

A city‑based political observer noted that since the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, East Midnapore became associated with the Adhikari family and Trinamool Congress. However, since the 2021 Assembly elections, the district remained an Adhikari stronghold, with the family shifting allegiance to the BJP.

The fortress held even in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when BJP candidates won both constituencies in East Midnapore with high margins.

In this situation, Trinamool Congress sought someone rooted in the district, and Kar emerged as the choice.

In the 2021 Assembly polls, Adhikari won Nandigram by a margin of less than 2,000 votes, defeating Trinamool's candidate and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who later won a by‑election from Bhabanipur in South Kolkata to retain her chair for a third consecutive term.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Nandigram gave BJP's winning candidate from Tamluk, former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a margin of 7,298 votes.

This time, Adhikari is contesting simultaneously from Bhabanipur, where Trinamool Congress has fielded the Chief Minister again.

The schedule of the two‑phase polls allows Adhikari to balance campaigning between both constituencies.

Nandigram goes to the polls in the first phase on April 23, while Bhabanipur votes in the second phase on April 29.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
All this last-minute candidate switching just shows how much politics has become a game of musical chairs. The common voter in Nandigram is tired of this. We need leaders who are stable and work for development, not those who change parties for power.
A
Aman W
Adhikari contesting from two seats? Seems like overconfidence. He should focus on serving the constituency that elected him. This dual-seat strategy often backfires. Nandigram needs full attention, not a part-time MLA.
P
Priyanka N
The 2021 margin was razor-thin! Less than 2000 votes. This shows Nandigram is truly a swing seat. It will all come down to grassroots mobilization and local issues like agriculture and jobs. The party with the better ground game will win.
D
David E
Interesting analysis. From an outside perspective, it seems TMC is trying to fight fire with fire by fielding a former insider. But does this constant defection politics serve the people's interest in the long run? Governance can suffer.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I disagree with the 'best possible option' line. This feels like a reactive, short-term tactic. TMC should have nurtured a strong local leader from within their own ranks over the past few years, not imported one at the last minute.

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