Suvendu Adhikari, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, recently called on Mamata Banerjee to withdraw from electoral politics and take a rest at home. This statement was made during a session in the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday, where he elaborated on his decision to retain the Bhabanipur constituency while vacating Nandigram. Adhikari expressed his desire not to provide Banerjee, who has faced electoral defeats against him, another chance to contest a bypoll.

He acknowledged the sentiments of the residents of Nandigram, who were reportedly disappointed with his decision. Adhikari stated that he had explained to them that relinquishing Bhabanipur could have given Banerjee, who lost to him twice, another opportunity to run for election. His comments highlighted the significance of his victories in both the 2021 Assembly elections and the recent polls.

Adhikari’s remarks came after the swearing-in of Hasirani Rath, the mother of his late aide Chandranath Rath, and Shankharav Sarkar as BJP MLAs. Their victories in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls earlier this month allowed the BJP to showcase its electoral strength, particularly in Nandigram, where the party won by a substantial margin.

Concerns Over Chandranath Rath’s Murder

During his address, Adhikari also raised concerns regarding the murder of Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in Madhyamgram on May 6, shortly after the BJP assumed power in West Bengal. He alleged that Rath was targeted due to his association with him. The Chief Minister mentioned that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had apprehended seven individuals, including those suspected of being the shooters and contract killers.

Adhikari pointed out that the investigation still needed to determine the origin of the alleged Rs 2 crore paid for the contract killing. He questioned whether the funds had connections to specific areas in Kolkata, including Camac Street, Kalighat, or Diamond Harbour. His comments hinted at potential political implications, as these locations are associated with prominent figures in the Trinamool Congress.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities yet to confirm the source of the alleged payment or identify those behind the contract. The term *supari*, commonly used to denote a contract killing, was mentioned in the context of this case.

BJP’s Electoral Gains and Future Plans

The recent bypoll victories have provided the BJP with an opportunity to assert that its electoral influence is expanding beyond its traditional voter base. These results marked a significant electoral test for the BJP government, occurring nearly five months after it ended the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in West Bengal. Adhikari claimed that the opposition had failed to mount a credible challenge in both constituencies.

He noted that the opposition had effectively conceded defeat in Nandigram before polling took place, while their candidate in Rejinagar did not manage to retain the security deposit. The outcome in Rejinagar was particularly significant, as it suggested that the BJP was gaining traction among voters who traditionally supported other parties, especially given the constituency’s substantial Muslim population.

Adhikari dismissed allegations of the BJP being communal or anti-minority, citing support from Muslim women who benefited from the Annapurna scheme. He stated that approximately 70,000 women in Rejinagar received assistance, with 35,000 from minority families. Despite the demographic challenges, BJP candidate Shankharav Sarkar secured victory by a margin of 75,000 votes, according to Adhikari.

He emphasised that the party’s focus on development and welfare initiatives, rather than religious identity, influenced voter preferences. Adhikari described the BJP’s initial six months in power as just the beginning of its development agenda, using a meal analogy to suggest that more substantial progress is yet to come. He urged the public to remain observant of the state’s development trajectory.

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