Archive · 9 Oct 2026
BJP’s Bengal Bypoll Sweep Draws ‘Vote Loot’ Allegations
The BJP won elections in two places in West Bengal: Nandigram and Rejinagar.
CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim said the wins were unfair and called them “vote loot.”
He blamed the Election Commission and said changes to voter lists had taken away some people’s voting rights.
He also called the alleged way of winning the “platinum model.”
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan made similar accusations.
Suvendu Adhikari, a BJP leader, said many Muslim voters had supported his party.
He claimed the BJP received about 60 per cent of Muslim votes in Rejinagar and 80 per cent in Nandigram.
These are competing claims; the reports do not independently establish that votes were looted or verify the vote-share claims.
The BJP won the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls, with reported margins of 1,06,513 and 55,583 votes, respectively.
CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim alleged the victories resulted from “vote loot” and called the alleged approach the BJP’s “platinum model.”
Salim accused the Election Commission of compromising the poll process and said electoral-roll revision had deprived people of voting rights; he renewed a demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan also alleged votes were looted and accused the Election Commission of being aligned with the BJP.
Suvendu Adhikari said Muslim voters supported the BJP, claiming it received about 60 per cent of Muslim votes in Rejinagar and 80 per cent in Nandigram.
- Who
- The BJP won the bypolls; CPI(M) and Congress figures alleged irregularities, while Suvendu Adhikari claimed Muslim voters backed the BJP.
- What
- The BJP won in Nandigram and Rejinagar amid opposition allegations of “vote loot.”
- When
- The results and allegations were reported on Friday, October 9.
- Where
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal.
- Why
- CPI(M) and Congress alleged the election process was compromised; Adhikari attributed the BJP’s wins in part to Muslim voter support.
Opposition allegations
BJP-side claims
Whether the election was fair
Opposition allegations
Mohammed Salim and Milan Pradhan alleged vote theft and said the Election Commission had compromised or defiled the process.
BJP-side claims
Adhikari described the BJP’s expected results as victories and said Muslim voters had supported the party; the reports provide no direct BJP response to the vote-loot allegations.
What drove the BJP’s victories
Opposition allegations
Salim alleged irregularities ensured the BJP’s wins and said voter rights were taken away through electoral-roll revision.
BJP-side claims
Adhikari claimed the BJP received about 60 per cent of Muslim votes in Rejinagar and 80 per cent in Nandigram, and said minorities wanted to stand with the government.
- Constituencies
- Nandigram and Rejinagar, West Bengal
- Winning party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Reported Nandigram margin
- 1,06,513 votes
- Reported Rejinagar margin
- 55,583 votes
- CPI(M) state secretary
- Mohammed Salim
- CPI(M) candidates’ finishes
- Fifth in Rejinagar and third in Nandigram
- Adhikari’s claim about Muslim votes
- About 60 per cent in Rejinagar and 80 per cent in Nandigram
- Other opposition allegation
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan also alleged votes were looted
