Archive · 9 Oct 2026
BJP Leads Two West Bengal Seats as Bye-Poll Counting Continues
People in two West Bengal areas voted in special elections to fill empty seats.
On Friday, votes were still being counted.
The BJP candidates were ahead in both places at the time reported.
In Nandigram, Hasi Rani Rath had a large lead, and in Rejinagar, Shankharavh Sarkar was ahead.
More counting rounds were still left in both contests.
Opposition parties said voters faced intimidation and that there were problems at polling places.
Police also detained or arrested people after separate incidents during polling.
The article did not report final results for these two seats.
The BJP was leading in Nandigram and Rejinagar as counting continued on Friday.
In Nandigram, Hasi Rani Rath led Congress candidate Milan Pradhan by more than 100,000 votes after 13 of 15 rounds.
In Rejinagar, BJP candidate Shankharavh Sarkar led Aam Janata Unnayan Party candidate Golam Nabi Azad by more than 46,000 votes after eight of 15 rounds.
The two bye-elections followed vacancies created when Suvendu Adhikari and Humayun Kabir chose to retain other seats they had won.
Opposition parties alleged voter intimidation and polling irregularities; police detained or arrested several political figures during polling-related incidents.
- Who
- Candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Aam Janata Unnayan Party and other parties contested the bye-elections.
- What
- Votes were being counted in bye-elections for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats; BJP candidates were leading in both.
- When
- Counting was underway on Friday; polling had taken place on Tuesday.
- Where
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal, India.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after Suvendu Adhikari and Humayun Kabir chose to retain other seats they had won.
Opposition parties and candidates
Police and BJP leaders
Alleged polling intimidation and irregularities
Opposition parties and candidates
Opposition parties alleged voter intimidation and irregularities. In Nandigram, Milan Pradhan said his polling agents were kept from booths and accused police of ignoring complaints; he also alleged voters were lathi-charged in Chakraberia.
Police and BJP leaders
The article reports that police detained the Congress chief of Nandigram-I block over alleged attempts to create disturbances, based on a complaint by BJP leaders. It does not include a response from police to Pradhan's broader allegations.
Police action involving Humayun Kabir
Opposition parties and candidates
Kabir alleged that police deployment near his home and polling booths was intended to intimidate voters and party workers. He refused police instructions to leave his party office during polling.
Police and BJP leaders
Police said Kabir could not stay at the office during polling because he was neither a candidate nor an authorised polling agent. He was arrested on allegations of attempting to influence voters and incite them, and released after 12 hours.
- Counting status
- BJP candidates were leading in Nandigram and Rejinagar; counting was not complete.
- Nandigram lead
- Hasi Rani Rath led Milan Pradhan by more than 1 lakh votes after 13 of 15 rounds.
- Rejinagar lead
- Shankharavh Sarkar led Golam Nabi Azad by more than 46,000 votes after eight of 15 rounds.
- Polling day
- Tuesday.
- Counting day
- Friday.
- Nandigram vacancy
- The bye-election was needed after Suvendu Adhikari vacated the seat.
- Rejinagar vacancy
- The bye-election was needed after Humayun Kabir chose to retain Nowda.
- Other reported results
- The ruling All India NR Congress candidate won in Thattanchavady, Puducherry; Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidates were leading in Madurantakam and Dharapuram.