Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Suvendu Woos Nandigram Muslims, Shifts to Hardline VHP Message
Suvendu Adhikari asked Muslim voters in Nandigram to support the BJP in an October 6 election.
He said he wanted friendship and promised projects and services for people.
Some Muslim voters joined his campaign march, and some said many people in their areas would vote for the BJP.
Those vote estimates were claims made by the people quoted in the report.
At another event, Adhikari spoke in a much tougher way about security and religious issues.
The articles describe this as a contrast with his friendly appeal in Nandigram.
One report says his earlier remarks calling the election a test came on September 15, while another says September 18.
Nandigram has around a quarter Muslim voters, according to the reports.
Suvendu Adhikari urged Muslim voters in Nandigram to unite with the BJP and described the October 6 bypoll as an opportunity for friendship.
He promised inclusive development, including healthcare, welfare support, housing, transport links and a bridge connecting Haldia and Nandigram.
Muslim voters joined his Sunday road show; some claimed strong minority support for BJP candidate Hasi Rani Rath, but those claims were not independently verified in the articles.
At a Vishva Hindu Parishad event in Calcutta, Adhikari spoke about terrorism, the uniform civil code, religious conversion and what he called “love jihad” and “land jihad.”
The reports differ on the date of Adhikari’s earlier “test” remarks: one says September 15, while the other refers to September 18.
- Who
- Suvendu Adhikari, BJP candidate Hasi Rani Rath, and Muslim voters in Nandigram.
- What
- Adhikari appealed to Muslim voters to support the BJP in the Nandigram bypoll, while later making a more combative speech at a Vishva Hindu Parishad event.
- When
- During campaigning before the October 6 bypoll; the road show and VHP event took place on Sunday.
- Where
- Nandigram and Calcutta, West Bengal.
- Why
- Adhikari presented the appeal as an opportunity for political friendship and development, while addressing security and religious issues at the VHP event.
Nandigram outreach
VHP event rhetoric
Tone toward minority voters
Nandigram outreach
In Nandigram, Adhikari called Muslim voters friends, urged them not to turn their backs on the BJP and appealed for unity.
VHP event rhetoric
At the VHP event, he used a more combative tone, warning against what he described as divisive or anti-national activity.
Campaign emphasis
Nandigram outreach
His Nandigram pitch focused on inclusive development, welfare and friendship.
VHP event rhetoric
His VHP speech focused on security and religious issues, including the uniform civil code and what he called 'love jihad' and 'land jihad.'
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- Constituency
- Nandigram
- BJP candidate
- Hasi Rani Rath
- Muslim share of Nandigram electorate
- Around 25 per cent, according to the articles
- Development pledges
- Healthcare, welfare, housing, transport improvements, railway links and a bridge connecting Haldia and Nandigram
- Road show
- Adhikari walked nearly 4 km from Tengua to Hospital More on Sunday
- Earlier remarks
- The articles give different dates for his earlier 'test' remarks: September 15 and September 18
- VHP speech
- Adhikari discussed terrorism, the uniform civil code, religious conversion, and what he called 'love jihad' and 'land jihad'
