Nandigram and Rejinagar Bypolls see high turnout, Humayun Kabir’s detention and polling allegations as Suvendu Adhikari claims 100% confidence in Nandigram victory.
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | October 6, 2026
Nandigram and Rejinagar Bypolls witnessed intense political activity across West Bengal on Tuesday as voters turned out in large numbers amid tight security, allegations of polling irregularities and a high-profile confrontation between AJUP chief Humayun Kabir and the police.
Nandigram and Rejinagar Bypolls began at 7 am and are scheduled to continue until 6 pm, with counting set for October 9. By late morning, Nandigram had recorded a turnout of around 43.95 per cent, while Rejinagar had registered approximately 38.71 per cent. The two constituencies have attracted considerable attention because they represent important tests for the BJP government as well as for the opposition parties attempting to rebuild their electoral positions.
Suvendu Adhikari expresses 100% confidence in Nandigram
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who cast his vote in Nandigram on Tuesday, expressed complete confidence about the result of the by-election and said he was “100 per cent” confident of victory.
After voting, Adhikari also said he expected the final turnout to reach around 85 per cent. He described the polling atmosphere as peaceful and said voters were responding positively to the development agenda of the BJP government.
Adhikari has also set a much larger target for the BJP in terms of the victory margin. During the campaign, he said people in Nandigram were talking about breaking the record set in the Falta election, where the BJP won by more than one lakh votes. He had earlier suggested that the margin in Nandigram could surpass that figure.
His remarks have added another dimension to an already closely watched contest, because the by-election is taking place in the constituency that Adhikari represented before retaining Bhabanipur.
The chief minister had won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in the 2026 Assembly election and subsequently retained Bhabanipur, leaving Nandigram vacant and triggering the by-election.
Nandigram polling marked by competing allegations
Despite Adhikari’s description of the polling as peaceful, the Nandigram election witnessed several complaints from opposition parties.
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged that his polling agents were being prevented from sitting inside some booths. During a visit to Sonachura, Pradhan confronted BJP workers over the issue, leading to a heated verbal exchange.
Congress leaders also alleged that groups of motorcycles had been moving through parts of the constituency since the previous night and claimed that this had created an atmosphere of intimidation.
The BJP rejected the allegations. BJP candidate Hasirani Rath said voting was proceeding peacefully and argued that the opposition was making complaints because it did not have sufficient polling agents at some locations.
Election officials and police have said that complaints are being examined and that preventive action would be taken wherever necessary.
Rejinagar tense after Humayun Kabir’s detention
The most dramatic incident of the day came from Rejinagar in Murshidabad, where Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir was detained after a confrontation with police.
Kabir had been openly criticising the security arrangements around his residence and polling locations. He alleged that a heavy police presence was being used to intimidate voters and supporters.
The situation escalated when police reached the AJUP office. A heated exchange followed and Kabir was subsequently taken into custody.
Police officials said Kabir was neither a candidate nor an authorised polling agent in the by-election and alleged that he had violated restrictions relating to movement around polling areas.
Kabir had voted earlier in the day with members of his family. His son, Golam Nabi Azad, is contesting the Rejinagar seat on an AJUP ticket.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, when asked about Kabir’s arrest, said that the law should apply equally to everyone and that all political leaders must comply with legal requirements.
Opposition parties demand repolling in Rejinagar
The detention of Kabir was accompanied by a series of allegations from opposition parties.
Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi staged a protest outside Rejinagar police station and demanded cancellation of the polling process and fresh voting.
The Congress alleged that its polling agents had been removed from several booths. The CPI(M) also raised complaints concerning the alleged removal or prevention of polling agents at a number of polling stations.
TMC candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury made similar allegations and claimed that most of his party’s polling agents had been forced to leave their assigned booths.
These allegations were disputed by the BJP and have not been independently established as evidence of large-scale electoral malpractice.
The Rejinagar contest has become particularly significant because the seat was vacated after Humayun Kabir, who had won both Rejinagar and Nowda in the 2026 Assembly election, decided to retain Nowda.
His son is now contesting against BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar, TMC nominee Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, rival TMC candidate Safiuzzaman Sheikh, Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi and CPI(M)’s Syed Asad Ali.
A multi-cornered battle in minority-dominated Rejinagar
Rejinagar has a different electoral equation from Nandigram. The Murshidabad constituency has a large Muslim electorate, while the opposition vote is divided among several parties and political formations.
The BJP is seeking to expand its support base in the constituency, while AJUP is attempting to retain the seat through Humayun Kabir’s son.
The Congress and CPI(M) are also seeking to strengthen their positions, while the two rival Trinamool factions are contesting separately.
The fragmented contest has made the distribution of votes among the various candidates an important factor in the final result. However, the actual outcome will only be known after counting on October 9.
BJP’s Nandigram target goes beyond victory
For the BJP, Nandigram is not simply about retaining political influence in a constituency associated with Suvendu Adhikari.
The chief minister has publicly raised expectations around the size of the victory margin. His reference to the Falta result, where the BJP secured a margin of more than one lakh votes, has turned the margin itself into a political talking point.
Adhikari’s claim of complete confidence in victory is therefore accompanied by an expectation of a high turnout and a substantial winning margin.
The BJP has also been making efforts to attract minority voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar. During the final phase of campaigning in Nandigram, sections of Muslim voters participated in Adhikari’s roadshow, while some claimed that a large proportion of minority votes in their areas would support the BJP candidate. Such claims, however, remain statements by the individuals or political camp involved and cannot be treated as independently verified voting intentions.
Nandigram’s political significance
Nandigram remains one of West Bengal’s most politically significant constituencies.
The 2007 land movement in the area played a major role in the rise of the Trinamool Congress and eventually contributed to the end of the Left Front’s 34-year rule in Bengal.
The constituency later became synonymous with the political rivalry between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari.
The present by-election has another distinctive feature: the Trinamool Congress is not contesting the seat in the same manner as in previous elections, with its leadership supporting Congress candidate Milan Pradhan after its own candidate withdrew.
The contest has consequently brought the BJP and Congress into direct focus, while the Left is also attempting to maintain its presence.
Two bypolls, two different political tests
Although Nandigram and Rejinagar are voting on the same day, the political questions surrounding the two constituencies are different.
In Nandigram, the election is closely linked to Suvendu Adhikari’s political standing and his publicly stated expectation of a decisive victory and a large margin.
In Rejinagar, the principal question is whether AJUP can retain the seat after Humayun Kabir’s departure and whether his son can inherit his electoral support.
For the Congress and CPI(M), the two contests are an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to regain political space. For the BJP, the elections provide an opportunity to consolidate its position after forming the government in West Bengal.
The conduct of polling has also emerged as an important issue, with opposition parties raising allegations of booth-level irregularities while BJP candidates and supporters have rejected the charges.
Results to be declared on October 9
Voting in both constituencies is being conducted under enhanced security arrangements. Despite isolated incidents and allegations, polling has continued throughout the day.
The final turnout figures, complaints received by election authorities and any action taken in response will be closely watched.
But the decisive moment will come on October 9, when votes are counted in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
Until then, Suvendu Adhikari’s 100 per cent victory claim, his expectation of around 85 per cent turnout and his earlier reference to a victory margin potentially exceeding the Falta benchmark remain political claims rather than election results.
The actual verdict will be determined by the votes cast on Tuesday.
