Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Nandigram, Rejinagar Bypoll Counting Tests Bengal’s Political Mood
People in Nandigram and Rejinagar voted in Assembly by-elections in West Bengal.
The reports say vote counting was due to start at 8 am on October 9.
Nandigram voted on October 6, and one report says turnout there was 80.89%.
Another report puts turnout at around 78% in both seats.
Nandigram needed a by-election after Suvendu Adhikari kept the Bhabanipur seat instead.
In Rejinagar, Humayun Kabir kept Nowda, so voters chose a new representative there.
The BJP and Congress are competing in Nandigram, while the Rejinagar race includes AJUP and the BJP.
The results may offer clues about support for the new BJP government and the opposition parties.
The accounts differ on the turnout figures and on how the polling was characterized.
Counting for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly by-elections was scheduled to begin at 8 am on October 9.
Nandigram voted on October 6; reports differ on turnout, citing 80.89% there and around 78% in both constituencies.
Nandigram’s bypoll followed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari retaining Bhabanipur after winning both seats in the 2026 Assembly election.
The BJP fielded Hasirani Rath in Nandigram against Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, backed by Mamata Banerjee after the TMC nominee withdrew.
In Rejinagar, AJUP candidate Golam Nabi Azad faced BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar after Humayun Kabir retained Nowda.
- Who
- Voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar; candidates include Hasirani Rath, Milan Pradhan, Golam Nabi Azad and Sakharav Sarkar.
- What
- Counting of votes in two West Bengal Assembly by-elections.
- When
- Counting was scheduled for 8 am on October 9, 2026; polling was reported as October 6.
- Where
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal, India.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after their previous winners retained other constituencies; the results are also being watched for indications of voter response to the BJP government and the opposition.
Opposition parties
BJP and Chief Minister
Polling conduct in Nandigram
Opposition parties
Opposition parties raised allegations of voter intimidation, booth-related irregularities and other electoral malpractice.
BJP and Chief Minister
The BJP and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari rejected the allegations and said polling was peaceful.
- Constituencies
- Nandigram and Rejinagar
- Scheduled counting time
- 8 am on October 9, 2026
- Polling date
- October 6, 2026
- Nandigram turnout
- One report gives the Election Commission’s final figure as 80.89%; another reports around 78% in both seats.
- Security deployment
- 71 companies of central forces were deployed, according to one report.
- Nandigram candidates
- BJP’s Hasirani Rath and Congress’s Milan Pradhan; Pradhan had TMC backing after its nominee withdrew.
- Rejinagar candidates
- AJUP’s Golam Nabi Azad and BJP’s Sakharav Sarkar.
