Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Congress Candidate Demands Re-poll in Rejinagar Bypoll
By-elections were being held in Rejinagar and Nandigram in West Bengal.
Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi asked for voting to be held again across Rejinagar.
He said BJP supporters stopped some people, especially minority voters, from voting.
He also said police and security forces did not step in.
BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya rejected Kafi’s claims and said the BJP would win both seats.
In Nandigram, Congress candidate Milan Pradhan also said voters were being intimidated.
By 11 a.m., turnout was higher in Nandigram than in Rejinagar.
Election officials said most complaints they had received since morning came from Congress.
Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi staged a sit-in outside Rejinagar Police Station, demanding a complete re-poll in the constituency.
Kafi alleged BJP supporters obstructed voters, especially minority voters, and accused police and central security forces of failing to act.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya called Kafi’s allegations baseless and predicted BJP victories in Rejinagar and Nandigram.
By 11 a.m., reported turnout was 38.71% in Rejinagar and 43.95% in Nandigram, averaging 41.33% across both constituencies.
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged voter intimidation in Nandigram; the Chief Electoral Officer’s office said most complaints received since morning came from Congress.
- Who
- Congress candidates Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi and Milan Pradhan, and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya.
- What
- Kafi staged a sit-in demanding a complete re-poll in Rejinagar, while candidates made allegations of voter obstruction and intimidation.
- When
- Tuesday; turnout figures were reported through 11 a.m.
- Where
- Rejinagar and Nandigram constituencies in West Bengal.
- Why
- Kafi sought a re-poll after alleging voters were obstructed; Pradhan separately alleged voter intimidation in Nandigram.
Congress allegations
BJP response
Rejinagar voting
Congress allegations
Kafi alleged BJP supporters prevented voters, particularly minority voters, from voting and said police and central security forces failed to intervene. He demanded a complete re-poll.
BJP response
Samik Bhattacharya called the allegations baseless and said Kafi was making them because he feared a heavy defeat.
Nandigram voter intimidation
Congress allegations
Milan Pradhan alleged BJP supporters had terrorised voters for two days and that ruling-party activists targeted areas known as anti-BJP pockets.
BJP response
The article does not report a specific BJP response to Pradhan’s allegations.
- Rejinagar turnout by 11 a.m.
- 38.71%
- Nandigram turnout by 11 a.m.
- 43.95%
- Combined average turnout
- 41.33%
- Re-poll demand
- Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi demanded a total re-poll in Rejinagar.
- Complaint trend
- The Chief Electoral Officer’s office said most complaints received since Tuesday morning were from Congress.
- Other constituency
- By-elections were also underway in Nandigram, in East Midnapore district.