West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has explained his decision to retain the Bhabanipur Assembly seat and vacate Nandigram after winning both constituencies in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.Adhikari took the decision in May 2026 and subsequently resigned from Nandigram, paving the way for a by-election there. He had defeated former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur by more than 15,000 votes.Key HighlightsSuvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur after winning two Assembly seats.He vacated Nandigram for a by-election.Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.He said he would continue to support Nandigram's development.The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, 2026.Why Suvendu Adhikari Retained BhabanipurAfter winning both Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Adhikari announced that he would continue as MLA from Bhabanipur and give up the Nandigram seat.At the time, he said that although another MLA would be elected from Nandigram, he would continue working for the constituency and would not allow residents to feel his absence. He took oath as an MLA from Bhabanipur in May.The decision meant that Nandigram became vacant and required a fresh Assembly election.Adhikari's Bhabanipur Victory Over Mamata BanerjeeThe Bhabanipur decision came after a closely watched contest in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur by 15,105 votes, according to election reports. He secured 73,917 votes, while Banerjee received 58,812 votes.Adhikari had also won the Nandigram seat, giving him two constituencies from which to choose after the election.Nandigram Bypoll Scheduled for October 6The Election Commission has scheduled the Nandigram by-election for October 6, 2026, with counting scheduled for October 9.The vacancy was created after Adhikari resigned from Nandigram and retained Bhabanipur. Several parties have announced candidates for the bypoll.The Nandigram bypoll is therefore a direct consequence of the Chief Minister's decision to keep the Bhabanipur Assembly seat.Bhabanipur Remains Adhikari's Assembly SeatWith Adhikari choosing Bhabanipur, the constituency has become his Assembly base following the 2026 election. The decision also marked a significant change in the political contest around the seat, where he defeated Mamata Banerjee earlier this year.
