Adhikari Chooses Bhabanipur, Vacates Nandigram Despite Dual Victory

West Bengal CM to relinquish stronghold seat after winning both constituencies in 2026 polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced a significant political move, deciding to retain the Bhabanipur Assembly seat while vacating Nandigram—the constituency he has held as a political stronghold for decades. The decision came hours after he took oath as the state's ninth chief minister, capping a remarkable political ascent that saw him defeat Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a closely contested battle.

Addressing reporters at the Legislative Assembly premises following his oath-taking ceremony, Adhikari assured Nandigram constituents that his absence from the constituency would be felt only in official capacity, not in commitment to development work. "Someone else will be elected as MLA from Nandigram in a by-election, but the people there will not feel my absence," he said, signalling that a by-election would be called for the seat.

Victory Against Mamata in Bhabanipur

Adhikari's decision to represent Bhabanipur marks a symbolic victory in more ways than one. He defeated Mamata Banerjee by a margin of 15,105 votes in what became one of the election's most watched contests. The electoral clash between the state's outgoing and incoming chief ministers had drawn significant political attention, with both camps camping aggressively in the constituency.

In Nandigram, Adhikari still retained his traditional political base, defeating Trinamool Congress candidate Pabitra Kar by 9,665 votes. However, the decision to vacate the seat reflects his shifting political priorities as he transitions to the top administrative role in the state.

The Oath And Cabinet Moves

The swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday saw Adhikari take oath as both Chief Minister and MLA from Bhabanipur in quick succession. President's representative RN Ravi administered the Chief Minister's oath in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership. State Minister Dilip Ghosh also took oath as MLA from Kharagpur Sadar the same day.

At the first Cabinet meeting held at Nabanna, Adhikari wasted no time in setting the administration's immediate priorities. Among the first decisions was initiating the transfer of land to the Border Security Force for fencing along the Bangladesh border—a long-pending security measure in the state. Officials confirmed that land would be handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs within 45 days, allowing the BSF to commence fencing operations to address infiltration concerns.

BJP's Sweeping Mandate

The electoral verdict delivered to Adhikari came in the form of a decisive mandate. The BJP secured 206 seats in the 294-member Assembly, a dramatic surge from its previous tally of 77 seats. The Trinamool Congress, which had dominated the state with 212 seats in the last election, was reduced to just 80 seats, with one more constituency still under count.

Describing the result as the beginning of a new political era in Bengal, Adhikari invoked the vision of "Sonar Bangla"—golden Bengal—linking it to the BJP's landslide performance. The slogan, historically associated with state culture and prosperity, now marks the party's development agenda for the state.

From Grassroots To The Top

Adhikari's elevation to Chief Minister represents the culmination of a three-decade political journey that began at the grassroots level in coastal Bengal. Rising from a local activist to become one of eastern India's most influential political figures, his trajectory reflects the significant political realignment that has taken place in the state over recent years.

His decision to represent Bhabanipur rather than his traditional stronghold signals a shift in political strategy, potentially positioning him for a wider administrative canvas that extends beyond regional consolidation to state-wide governance priorities.