Hansirani Rath
Nandigram: With Election Commission announcing the Nandigram assembly bypoll on Oct 6, Hansirani Rath, mother of CM Suvendu Adhikari’s late personal assistant Chandranath Rath, and local BJP heavyweight Meghnath Pal have emerged as frontrunners for the party ticket. His organisational efforts were key to BJP’s 2021 victory over former CM Mamata Banerjee and also in 2026. Bharati, a former CPM neta and Suvendu’s close aide, is credited with consolidating anti-TMC votes in Nandigram-II in the 2021 and 2026 polls.
Hansirani, a five-term panchayat and panchayat samiti poll winner, expressed her readiness and said: “If I am given the responsibility, I will accept it humbly. Echoing his commitment, Hansirani said: “After the demise of my elder son, CM Suvendu-babu has been the guardian of our family. Hansirani, however, clarified that candidate speculation was “just a rumour for now”. If the speculation becomes a reality, we will act accordingly,” she said. Contai MP and Suvendu’s brother Soumendu Adhikari said: “Candidates for bypolls are decided at the highest level of leadership.
The names of Anjan Bharati and Pralay Pal are also doing the rounds. Chandranath was shot dead in Madhyamgram two days before Suvendu took oath as CM. Suvendu visited the family shortly after, assuring them he would act as their household guardian. If he entrusts me with any responsibility, I will accept it with total devotion. I will dedicate whatever remains of my political career to Nandigram and serve until my last drop of blood. “BJP’s central and state leadership will decide the candidate through discussions. Meghnath, one of Suvendu’s closest confidants and former TMC block president, is BJP’s second-in-command in Nandigram. There is no doubt our candidate will win with a record margin. We are aiming to surpass the victory margin in Falta.”