West Bengal Bypolls: Congress Enters Rejinagar, Nandigram With New Candidates

The Congress has announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections to the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, setting the stage for a fresh electoral contest in the two seats.

According to a statement issued by the party on Friday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the nominations of Mohammed Abdullahil Kafi and Milan Pradhan for the two constituencies.

Kafi will contest from Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, while Pradhan has been nominated as the party's candidate for Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district.

The Election Commission has scheduled polling for October 6, with the counting of votes set to take place on October 9. The bypolls will provide an opportunity for the Congress to strengthen its presence in the two constituencies amid the state's evolving political landscape.

The Nandigram by-election was necessitated after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vacated the seat and retained the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Adhikari had contested from both seats in the Assembly elections held earlier this year and defeated Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.

The Nandigram contest is expected to draw particular attention given the political significance of the constituency and its association with the high-profile electoral battle between Adhikari and Banerjee.

The Rejinagar seat fell vacant following the election of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) founder Humayun Kabir, who had also secured victory from the Nowda Assembly constituency.

With Congress now naming its candidates, the party's campaign in both constituencies is set to gather momentum ahead of the October 6 polling. The bypoll results on October 9 will determine the new representatives for the two Assembly seats.

The nominations mark Congress' formal entry into the bypoll contests as political parties prepare for the electoral battle in West Bengal.